Well, I'll just read the last two pages, then I'm done.
There is no way in my mind that we can call what is happening in the rural, remote, and isolated fly-in community circuit courts anywhere in Canada justice or even access to justice. Our young men, and even some older men, plead guilty to get it over with, do their time, learn how to be better criminals, and then come back home with a new skill set.
I make a point about people being punished for having a disease, which I also think is one that I'd like you to take to heart and consider. You know, we don't punish diabetics for eating doughnuts. I know I've trivialized it, but it's the same thing. My people are suffering from alcoholism, and yet we're criminalized and our families are fractured and we're punished. And it's not the solution.
I understand my comments are going to be distributed, so if anyone has any questions with the remaining part, they can ask them.
Thank you, Madam Chair.