I'd like to start by saying congratulations to you as a new minister. We're very glad to have you here, and I'm looking forward to working with you on this committee.
I think my colleague, Mr. Erskine-Smith, referred to this as a modest first step, which I think is a generous assessment of this bill. These are two things out of a long list of things that critics have been suggesting and promoting for many, many years. Indeed, we've had animal cruelty provisions in our Criminal Code since 1892, with only modest amendments since then, so I suppose it's a step forward to have these.
Building on what my colleague just asked, I'd like to ask you whether we ought to be moving toward a place where we're not simply treating animals as property, but are moving to put them in another part of the Criminal Code for a more comprehensive reform. I've heard you say this is the first step, that there's more to do, and that you're open to doing that. I'd like to have you tell us when you see that broader reform that you seem open to beginning. When will consultations begin? When can we expect more comprehensive reform?