Good afternoon, everyone.

On behalf of the Criminal Lawyers' Association, thank you for having us back to appear on this important bill. As I recall, approximately five or six years ago I was present before the Senate committee to speak about this bill. I think it's an important exercise for the committee to review bills after they've been enacted, to evaluate their performance.

I don't intend to use up my full five minutes. In my experience, more of the useful dialogue happens when we're exchanging questions and answers with committee members.

I will say that the Criminal Lawyers' Association includes members who primarily practice criminal law. That also includes providing independent legal advice to complainants and alleged victims. In my own practice, I've taken on many files involving independent legal advice to witnesses, alleged victims and complainants.

I think there's an important perspective here, but the perspective of the Criminal Lawyers' Association is really in relation to questions that the members might have about how some of these changes might play out on the ground in trial courts.

As a general observation, I should say that the Criminal Lawyers' Association is concerned about where aspirations don't match reality on the ground and investment in the criminal justice system. We could aspire to create a better system, but without providing the means for that on the ground through investment in the system and investment in access-to-justice models, those become simply hollow words on paper.

Access to justice is a buzzword. Everyone loves talking about access to justice. Oftentimes, in my experience, when the rubber hits the road when it comes to actually investing in the criminal justice system, it becomes merely a tag line. Without any follow-up and investment, access to justice will remain an elusive goal. It's important to address some of these issues and the understanding that victims, witnesses and complainants have of the criminal justice system.

I'll leave it at that for now. I welcome any comments or questions from the members of the committee. Thank you.

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