Mr. Speaker, the member asked a responsible question. When we propose bills, we have to check the financial implications of those bills.
I would like to tell my colleague that consultations with the departments of Justice and Public Safety are now underway.
First of all, this is an existing program, and I have some statistics on it right here. For example, the total number of RCMP witnesses admitted to the program dropped by 45% from 60 to 34 in 2002 and 2003.
I think this is a program for extreme cases that affects very few people. But knowing that the program is available is effective at dissuading a lot of people.
I would like to reassure my colleague that this measure will expand the existing program, and we are doing the numbers. Early estimates indicate that any costs added onto the existing program will be minimal.