Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to this particular amendment. It is one of a number of amendments that have been proposed to this bill governing the establishment of a DNA databank.
It is important to note that the amendment that is proposed at this point is directed at a mechanism which would take a DNA sample, analyze it for a DNA profile and put it into a DNA databank where it would, for practical purposes, be stored and kept indefinitely.
There are other ways in which the state can obtain a DNA sample and do an analysis. It can do it by warrant.
With respect to this particular motion, it is the desire of the mover and those supporting it to see a DNA sample taken when an individual is charged with a serious offence, the individual having been previously convicted of a serious offence, perhaps even a related offence.
It is important to keep that in mind. Just because one would not be able to take a sample at the point of charge does not mean the state could not move by warrant to obtain a sample from the individual at the time of charge for the purposes of investigating the offence at hand.
In this case the sample being taken, as proposed under this amendment, is not for the purpose of investigating the offence at hand, it is for the purpose of obtaining a DNA profile of the individual and putting it into the DNA databank for future reference and for the protection of society that would come from that.