Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to all of the witnesses.
This is a very difficult situation that we face as a country, because not only are we failing the victims, but we're also failing the families by not taking this seriously.
I want to go back to what was said earlier, which was that it's up to the Parole Board to make the decision on whether to allow the French and Mahaffy parents to testify. That's not correct, because under section 6.1 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act,the minister can intervene to allow the victims to speak at the parole hearing. I want to make that clear. It is possible that it can be done by the minister.
I say that because my question to you, Esther, is about your aunt. She would be very proud of you. I'm sure she's looking down from heaven and saying, “Thank God for you,” because this situation has to stop. We have to get tough on criminals. That's not happening.
If we get rid of Bill C-5, given that this catch and release approach is not working—it's putting women in danger—do you think that this would be a start in protecting women?