Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Levasseur, Mr. Lutes and Dr. Kelly, you've all given fantastic testimony today. This is a great panel. I'm sure we could go on and on, because you all have so much to offer in this discussion. We really do appreciate it.
When we look at section 43, we can look at it in the historical context, but we also, as we sit here today, have to look at the reality of what the law does and does not do here in 2024. We are dealing with section 43 now not as it is written in the code but as it has been significantly interpreted and narrowed in a leading Supreme Court of Canada case. Had the case not existed, Parliament itself may have taken similar action.
Dr. Kelly, I'll address this to you. When the bill was introduced, the proponent mentioned in their opening remarks some actions that clearly.... My view is that they fall outside the scope of section 43, but I want to get your opinion on it. An example is punching or slapping a child in the face. Do you think there's a defence in section 43 for that, as interpreted by the Supreme Court?