Thank you very much for identifying the issues as we have highlighted them, and for raising the issue of our provincial and territorial court colleagues, because we want to work with those involved, everyone involved, including the National Judicial Institute, the provincial court chiefs, the Federal Court chiefs, and of course the Minister of Justice and the Department of Justice, to make this laudable goal a reality not just for federally appointed judges, who hear only a small percentage of sexual assault cases, but for all Canadian judges.
We stand ready to work together. Within the judiciary, we have a wonderful history of co-operation and working together.
I must say, as has been stated earlier, that I too believe we have the best justice system in the world. That justice system respects boundaries and respects judicial independence. As chief justice, I respect entirely the fact that you are the guardians of the public purse, yet we require you to support us and to support an independent judiciary.
In Canada, we can still collaborate, work together and keep our independence. That's essentially one of our messages today. We would like to work with Parliament to make sure that this is available for every Canadian judge, not just for federally appointed judges.