First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that when I mentioned panic earlier, I did say in the West. I also mentioned the English-speaking press. What I mean is that this panic does not exist in Quebec. It just does not. This is a fact. Again, it may be due to our distinctiveness.
I also wanted to say there is no point causing people to panic, even in regions where, as you indicated, lack of confidence is already evident over the Young Offenders Act. You said lack of confidence had arisen over this legislation. It may be the case, but I do not think that proclaiming it from the rooftops will solve anything. I think a better way may be, as I said earlier in my speech, to open up the act. I said that it needed improvement, not that everybody was telling us all was well with the world. I said changes were required.
For one thing-I did not mention this earlier and this is a very personal point of view-I think the Young Offenders Act should be amended to provide that offenders between the ages of 16 and 18 have to go before adult court when they are charged with murder and only then. That is my own position, and I want to make that clear.
So, I did not say there was general jubilation over the Young Offenders Act, but I did say that it did not produce the same panic reaction as it did in your region.