I'd like to begin by thanking all the witnesses for their input. We heard a wide range of viewpoints, all of which will feed a healthy debate and, in turn, make the bill better.
We very much know that the purpose of this bill is to make a more comfortable setting, as Mrs. Nagy pointed out, for victims who are dragged into a system unwittingly. Obviously the justice system can be quite daunting for a victim who is potentially not treated, as they should be, sympathetically, and that's the intent.
My question is directed towards Chief Paul Smith and Deputy Chief Jill Skinner.
Your submission in the consultations process made mention of undue delays in the criminal justice process. To quote you, “A VBOR should not create unreasonable delay or prejudice within the process.” The point about delay has been raised by other witnesses as well as by your organization. Can you share your opinion, or the opinion of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, with regard to the issue of delay within the system?