I want to repeat to the committee, as Honourable Minister Sajjan said, that the issue of mental health is very important to the Canadian Armed Forces. For several years now, we have been particularly sensitive and aware of this.
The topic of section 98, paragraph (c) of the National Defence Act particularly, is indeed the intention of causing harm to oneself or feigning injury in order to escape service, as you indicated. To our mind, obviously an individual who suffers from mental health issues does not intend to escape the forces. It's a disease. It's just like having an injury to an arm or leg. It is a recognized illness that is diagnosed by military physicians or by physicians who are called upon for a diagnosis.
To answer your question, I would say that the prosecutor has discretionary power when deciding whether the charges will proceed. The chain of command also has discretionary power. An intelligent analysis must be made to determine an individual's particular circumstances. We have to make sure that all of the elements required for that offence are present.