It's a good point. I do concur with that.
I've indicated that I've been involved with a fair number of cases in which the preliminary inquiries help the Crown much more than myself by pointing out weaknesses that they're able to rectify. It has often arisen, both very recently and a number of years ago, that witnesses, as you say, are either not available or deceased. We actually had two tragic cases here in the last 18 months or so in which the alleged victim had committed suicide. One person had been subjected to a preliminary inquiry by testifying; the other one had not. The case of the one who had not testified went by the wayside. For the one who had testified, the Crown successfully applied to the court to have his testimony—it was a male alleged victim—successfully admitted before the Supreme Court judge and jury.
I agree that it can help prosecute guilty persons. We are all hopeful that the safeguards are there, not just for the accused persons but for the system. I agree with you that having this enhances the system from both sides.