Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My submissions on this will sound familiar, so I won't repeat them. This is quite simply an attempt to implement the wishes of, and to show respect for, our aboriginal communities, the same sort of respect that was manifest in the Supreme Court decision in Gladue and has been codified in the Criminal Code. It is what the Chiefs of Ontario have asked for.
This amendment specifically adds changes to victim impact statements such that, in weighing the statement of court, a review board should consider a victim or offender's aboriginal circumstances. The rationale for that is the same rationale that I offered when I put forth the other amendments that were recommended by the chiefs of Ontario, which I'm sure you don't need to hear again.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 22 agreed to)