Thank you very much, officials, for being here.
Ms. Wells, I know you haven't had the opportunity to be at many justice committee meetings, so I especially appreciate your being here.
I'd like to delve into the so-called safety valve. The bill itself says, and I'll read it very specifically:
When imposing a sentence for an offence that has a minimum punishment of a specified term of imprisonment, a court shall impose a shorter term of imprisonment than the specified term if, in the circumstances, the minimum punishment would amount to cruel and unusual punishment for that offender.
This is basically giving judges the latitude to ignore minimum sentences if they believe that a minimum sentence would be cruel and unusual. I just want to delve into the scope of what this applies to.
In your understanding, could this section be invoked in a case involving aggravated sexual assault with a firearm?