Justice committee  The second question on three strikes?

Justice committee  The legal aid course. That is being discussed with the provinces to determine the cost that might be associated with this particular reform.

Justice committee  On the first question, unrepresented accused, I don't know if there are specific studies, but there has been, as indicated, an increase in unrepresented accused. It is increasing trial length, because judges are saying they have to spend more time explaining things to the unrepre

Justice committee  At the federal level, yes. That's what the unique legal cases idea is.

Justice committee  I don't know the percentage, but it has been growing over the last few years. In fact that is an item that's being studied by the justice steering committee, which I mentioned earlier, that's composed of judges, and defence, bar, federal, and provincial officials. They're looki

Justice committee  Yes, as I indicated in an earlier question--I believe it was from Mr. Moore regarding the difference between legal aid and court-ordered legal assistance--this federal money for unique legal cases has been allocated to address the cost to the federal government, where the courts

Justice committee  We could probably make the research available to you, if it's there, and provide it to the clerk.

Justice committee  The drug treatment courts are not dealing with the largest proportion of the drug offences in the country. The drug treatment courts are really dealing with a very small subset of offenders who fit the criteria. In other words, they are non-violent, they are not exploiting childr

Justice committee  Yes, that's correct. It is $126 million, I believe.

Justice committee  That amount is based on last year's levels. Because of the termination of the three-year agreement on March 31 and the inability to negotiate new agreements, with the change of government, etc., the $80 million was in the original main estimates budget of last year. It is basical

Justice committee  As I said, I'm not at liberty to disclose information that was discussed in cabinet. Only the minister has the authority to discuss that.

Justice committee  I think the minister has already publicly indicated that he is coming with the—

Justice committee  Yes, to both questions, but not the same individual.

Justice committee  All systems can be improved. All systems can be worse. In this country we have a relatively good legal aid system compared with other countries. That is not to say it cannot be improved, and that's why ministers last week in Newfoundland agreed that they would work together to ne

Justice committee  They're the experts.