Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to come back before this committee to discuss such an important bill.
Something I shared before was about how there are two sides to how we ensure that Canadians can trust our justice system. When we look specifically at clause 2 and, more generally, the fact that we have a system that requires a particular tension between the different branches of our government.... The justice system, in particular, demonstrates that very thing.
Madam Chair, I am, as all of us are, honoured to take my seat in the House of Commons. When I first got elected I, of course, was given a space for an office here. I take this very seriously and it's an important illustration that will get directly to the subject matter related to clause 2 here.
I think it bears mentioning that I can sit at my desk, and I can look out one window and see the Supreme Court. I can look out the other window and see the Centre Block of Parliament. It reminds me daily about the tension that exists in our system between the different branches of government.
There are many things that can and probably should be said about the role of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General, which are two distinct positions within the executive structure of our government. I won't get into that, but Madam Chair, I will note, because it has a close relationship to what we are discussing here, that we have a certain level of disconnect that Canadians are feeling when it comes to their ability to be connected with and hold their government accountable.
It's disappointing that the Minister of Justice, who I'm sure would have lots to say about this particular bill, although he was requested to appear on the estimates....
We know there's a great deal of latitude given during the discussion of something that is as important as the estimates. It's disappointing that that respect would not be given to this committee, especially when it comes to the important work that needs to be accomplished, whether that's on instances of miscarriage of justice, rising crime rates across our country in a host of different categories, many other concerns within the justice system writ large or the various elements of the justice committee and its pretty wide-sweeping mandate.
There are a number of committees in Parliament that are more general in nature. I count it as an honour as a duly elected member to be able to join the discussion at different committees from time to time.
The justice committee has a particular impact. It's not specific to one segment of society and to one part of government, but it has that very wide scope. I think that's why it's so important. As I mentioned, in close connection to the topic at hand, it's why I am so disappointed by the fact that the Minister of Justice either couldn't find the time or refused to find the time to come and testify before this committee and be asked questions.
I referenced where I sit in my office here in the parliamentary precinct and can see both the legislative branch and the judicial branch. I understand that in Canada, there's a close connection between the legislative branch and executive branch of our government, dating back to the Magna Carta when there was that distinction and the limitations placed upon the Crown. It's important that this is preserved in what we do in this place. I find it very unfortunate.
We see that when the executive power of—
