Hon. Gwen Boniface: I would like to ask a question of Senator Clement, if I may. Thank you.

I’m always caught on this issue because I also know that the reason this bail reform bill is coming before us — as opposed to the tragic circumstances you mentioned — actually involves the deaths of police officers. Domestic disturbances are one of the most serious issues that police officers respond to. I ask then, was any of that introduced at committee?

Second, what about the second victim of someone who is an abuser? What about the third victim? I appreciate the perspective you come from and, as Senator Batters says, that the data was absent, but I’m concerned we may be missing the point with the bill itself. Taking it out of the bill doesn’t resolve the issue of mass incarceration of Indigenous women.

Senator Boniface: Thank you very much. I know you share the same concerns I do. I want a bill that’s effective, but I look at events such as the ones that just took place in Sault Ste. Marie as an example. Again, there is a second victim, a third victim, now a fourth victim and a fifth victim. I’m not saying that case had anything to do with bail, but the violence that is in perpetrators does not just impact one person. I guess I’m surprised that the committee didn’t hear some evidence regarding repeat offenders.