Minister, thank you.
The decision that we're addressing here.... The Supreme Court stated that someone who is on the registry, an offender, is eight times more likely than the general population to commit a sexual offence. That is why a mandatory listing in the sex offender registry of those who are convicted of sexual offences and a mandatory lifetime listing of those who have multiple offences are so essential.
It was a 5-4 decision. In the dissent, it says:
It is also clear that it cannot be reliably predicted at the time of sentencing which offenders will reoffend. In the face of that uncertain risk, Parliament was entitled to cast a wide net.
Have you given consideration to casting a wider net? What has been carved out in Bill S-12 are some fairly narrow provisions that would result in mandatory listing in the sex offender registry when previously any conviction for a sexual offence was listed.
Have you considered casting a wider net?