Mr. Speaker, in response to the specific question, it is not something that is planned at present but a national register of sexual offenders is something I would be happy to consider and discuss with the hon. member once I have had an opportunity to examine its implications.
I will deal more broadly with the thrust of the member's question without commenting on the case of Mr. Fisher who has completed his sentence and has been released at the end of the sentence which, by the way, was served without parole.
Let me speak more generally about the whole question of the release of offenders. As the hon. member will know, we have long since identified as a matter requiring action the whole question of the release of high risk offenders at the end of their sentences of incarceration.
I have already started with my colleagues in the provinces and territories an examination of alternatives. We have planned meetings with the ministers of health of those jurisdictions later this year to discuss specific changes to provincial mental health legislation to permit assessment and, if public safety requires it, continued confinement of such persons beyond the end of their criminal sentence in order to protect society.