Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll be brief.
Mr. Villetorte, I don't have the English version of the Criminal Code. Paragraph 718.2(a) of the French version states that “a sentence should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender,” in particular in the cases described further on in the text. Subparagraph 718.2(a)(iii.2) refers to an offence “committed against a person who, in the performance of their duties and functions, was providing health services.”
I don't have the English version. Mr. Villetorte, on the basis of the French version, when paragraph 718.2(a) of the Criminal Code states that “a sentence should be increased or reduced,” doesn't that constitute a suggestion rather than an obligation? It's written in the conditional tense. I would like you to clarify this dichotomy.
In addition, for the sake of consistency, I'm a bit concerned that, under proposed section 269.02, the court would be required to consider this factor as an aggravating circumstance, whereas paragraph 718.2(a) of the Criminal Code states that “a sentence should be increased or reduced.”
Go ahead, Mr. Villetorte.