I would like to thank everyone for being here today, and in particular Mr. Muhammed and Mr. Fraser and Mr. Courchene.
One of the most significant parts of this bill that we've had comments about already is the fact that what matters to a lot of Canadians and victims is that if this were to pass, individuals who commit a sexual offence involving a child would be ineligible to receive a pardon. These sexual offences would include things like child pornography, luring a child, and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability, among others. Clearly, they are some of the more heinous crimes imaginable committed.
As we know, obtaining a pardon comes with benefits. As you've said, it helps with employment opportunities, it helps when travelling to another country, and in some cases it would assist with child custody hearings, visitation rights, etc. Would you agree that most Canadians consider a pardon to be a privilege and not a right? I think your comments have indicated that today, that it is clearly a privilege that you're working toward.
Did you consider the pardon system, before we enacted Bill C-23A in the spring session--primarily motivated because of the Homolka situation--a system where the parole board did not have the authority to deny pardons in cases that would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, to have been adequate?
Your comments today say not to change anything, yet this particular situation was so heinous, and the parole board could not deny that individual a pardon. Do you think that's adequate?
Please go ahead, Mr. Fraser or Mr. Muhammed.