I'm of the view that there was insufficient consultation with external stakeholders. This is why I think you have a product that requires some significant amendments. Is it salvageable? I think it is if that component of external oversight is brought in. As it currently stands, I think it falls short.
Everything rests upon the discretion of the service to manage itself and ensure that they use those SIUs as infrequently as possible. We know very well that the history of corrections has been a gross overuse of administrative segregation for decades, until they finally decided to give it a bit of corporate attention and actually apply the current law. Then we saw it drop about 60% in terms of numbers in segregation. Those numbers could go up.
That's what's important about this legislation. I do believe the commissioner is well intentioned to try to reduce those numbers in segregation and keep at bay those SIUs. I also believe the minister when he says it. The issue is that this legislation has to go beyond the good intention of the current administration to a future commissioner and a future government. This is what worries me. We have seen the proliferation of SIU-like conditions of confinement.