Bernadette Clement from Ontario.

[English]

Good morning, Madam Minister. I just want to thank you for running for office. Doing that is a source of great inspiration to many, as you know. I would just like to say that out loud.

I’d like to stay on the topic of over-representation of Indigenous, Black and other racialized people in our justice system. We heard from witnesses yesterday who said that the system is currently in crisis and that the over-representation is evidence-based and proven. It seems that Bill C-48 will do the opposite of what it purports to do, right? It will make certain communities more unsafe. I would like to stay on that topic.

My other question for you is this: Clearly, B.C. has shown leadership — clearly. However, what does that mean in other provinces that haven’t made statements around investments they are willing or able to make? What will that mean for people who live in different parts of this country? I’m concerned about that. I would appreciate it if you could respond to that.

Thank you for that.

Hopeful is one thing, but there are people who are really in great need. Does your Safer Communities Action Plan speak specifically to investments around poverty, housing and mental health services?

Thank you to all three of you for your testimony and for your work.

I thank Senator Arnot for allowing Ms. Coyle to go further into the comments about the book from Professor Roach.

The provinces have come together here. They have presented a united front supporting this bill. I have concerns that there may be some leadership and some will and resources in some provinces and not in others to make the investments to properly support and do things parallel to what this might do. Could you comment on sort of the uneven impact this could affect?

Ms. Latimer, you in your opening statement started to go into Professor Myers’s analysis of the pretrial detention rates and what that means. Could you comment on that and what that means from a constitutional perspective in terms of if this legislation can survive?

Welcome and thank you for all of your work. I just want to restate that I am very partly employed by a legal clinic, and I do no criminal law and no federal work whatsoever, so I am just stating that before I engage with you.

I appreciate your comment, Mr. Field, around the more you spend on policing, the more you have to think about investing on defence and legal aid. I might want you to comment a little further on the concept of public safety. If there is staying of serious charges, what does that mean for the public’s confidence in our legal system and the public feeling safe? Could you comment on that?

Ms. Niman, I’m understanding the nuance of your responses, especially in response to Senator Klyne. I just want to make sure I understand if you’re supportive of the amendment to require a section 493 consideration and some clarity around that. Thank you.

The provinces have presented a united front in support of this bill. B.C. in particular has done a lot of leadership work around Indigenous strategies and anti-racism strategies. Do you see that in Ontario? Do you see that this province here that we sit in is making investments that will be part of the solutions I think you are referring to?

But you’re supportive of investments in terms of anti-poverty reduction?

Thank you.