The issue here is the integrity of our pardon system or suspension-of-record system. Individuals should not have the right to expect that this clean slate will be given to them.
Canadians have told me very clearly and have told our government very clearly that there comes a point in time when individuals should not be allowed to take advantage of what is not a right but a privilege. That point comes at some particular time, after committing a number of offences.
You heard me address your colleague on this issue earlier. I know you indicated that you didn't have any problem with the three or four convictions. Some have mentioned that some fine-tuning may need to be done there.
I want to say that in the spirit of cooperation that we've been able to develop in this bill, if you can come up with something that carries out the purposes of this act without taking advantage of the goodwill of Canadians in granting this privilege, I will seriously consider it.