On the comments you made regarding how [Technical difficulty—Editor] firearms offences are almost always linked to the drug trade. We've seen that borne out in the evidence. Indeed, on the previous panel, in the first hour of this committee meeting, when I was asking a representative from the Vancouver Police Department, he stated on the record that the increased profitability associated with fentanyl in the drug system, especially in Vancouver, which is the epicentre of the opioids crisis.... He noticed a direct correlation between the high profitability of that drug, increased gang activity and more firearms usage, as there is competition to control turf.
You are aware, of course, of the debate that's going on in Parliament as to whether we should have a declaration of principles in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. My colleague Gord Johns is advocating for decriminalization, which has also been supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
Do you have any thoughts you would like to share with the committee on that whole subject?