Thank you, Chair.
Colleagues, I'm proposing CPC-2 as a fallback mechanism for the government to decide onus on applicants to prove the convictions they had. Under this bill, the onus is that individuals convicted of minor possession of marijuana will have to prove that they were convicted of only that charge. However, I can tell you from experience, and from the testimony we heard before this committee, that there will be individuals whose records cannot be found or have been lost or destroyed. In those cases, they are unable to prove their case through no fault of their own.
In those circumstances, I am proposing a common-sense addition whereby applicants can demonstrate and swear an oath or an affidavit explaining why that's the case. It would enable the Parole Board to review the application and investigate and determine eligibility in that capacity, as opposed to an outright denial in those circumstances. In the interest of ensuring that all of those who are eligible can access the same process, I am submitting this to provide some procedural fairness.