Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to begin by thanking our witnesses for being here, the ones who are on the current panel and also the ones on the previous panel, who have come here to express the views they have and all of their experiences working with these communities who are under-represented and who are overly incarcerated. I appreciate the views that are being brought forward, because it's important to take into account all perspectives when putting forward legislation. I just want to make sure that it's known that I very much appreciate your presence here today.
To both of the witnesses on this panel, you've spoken to some of the shortcomings in Bill S-205. You specifically mentioned shortcomings with regard to prevention and how the bill does little to prevent intimate partner violence. Also, you mentioned the fact that it could put certain communities more in danger than they already are. It could make certain victims get the negative parts of this bill applied to them as well, so it will just increase the amount of inequality that exists in our society.
I am hoping that you heard the previous testimony as well, because there were certain recommendations that were brought forward by previous witnesses, including amendments that could be made to the bill in its current form.
Is there anything that you would like to add in terms of specific amendments that haven't been mentioned already that you think can help bring that prevention piece in or that you think can help those who don't feel protected by the justice system, by police, etc.? What are some of the things that you think we should be including in here if we weren't to completely reject the bill and we were to pass it eventually? What is missing from it, and could you be a little bit more specific?
I'll start with Ms. Mattoo because I see her on the screen, and then we'll go to Ms. Latimer.