I too am leaning towards opposing this, Madam Chair, unless I can be persuaded by the Liberals as to the justification behind the amendment.
I also agree with Monsieur Fortin. Our job as legislators is to be entirely clear when we are amending or passing legislation, and the way that this is drafted is so vague. It is rife for litigation. It does not indicate in any respect, with any specifics, how a prosecutor is supposed to discharge that particular onus.
I will add very briefly that I disagree with our Attorney General and some of the other witnesses, who opined that this is a dangerous area in terms of how prosecutors are conducting their business in terms of their relationship and discussions with victims.
I consulted with my colleague Mr. Caputo. I can recall, for the years that I was prosecuting where I was dealing with very sensitive matters and dealing with victims, that I had to supply those victims with a myriad of informational points with respect to the process. I view this as a process-driven avenue for a prosecutor to share that particular information.
I think it's incumbent that we strengthen the language, not weaken it and not make it so vague that it's unenforceable.
Thank you.