Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My colleague seems to be very interested in mandatory minimum sentences.
On the whole, Bill C‑16 would introduce a so-called safety valve for judicial sentencing discretion that would have the effect of reinstating, in future cases, mandatory minimum sentences that the courts have found unconstitutional. A new provision would allow the courts to sentence an offender to less than the minimum term of imprisonment, but only if the minimum sentence would constitute cruel and unusual punishment for that offender.
Could you explain why this approach was chosen?