Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of the justice department officials for your attendance here today and for your expertise on this quest as we try to balance the civil liberties of Canadians with our bona fide security interests to protect ourselves against terrorism.
At our last meeting, we talked about the existing provisions of the Criminal Code. I know that my friends on the other side of the table believe that sections 810 and 495 of the Criminal Code adequately protect Canadians from terrorist attacks, both domestic and abroad. I'm skeptical of that position.
I was wondering if any of you could help the committee understand why section 810 of the existing Criminal Code is inadequate and why we need the provisions in Bill C-17. If you don't know, section 810 says if that a person who fears on reasonable grounds that another person will intimidate a justice system participant or commit a criminal organization offence, you can apply to a judge to have a recognizance.