I agree with him. I think that would be helpful, because in this case, of course, there was absolutely no input. We weren't even asked. It was just a fait accompli.

Again, on the whole notion of the transfer, the problem I have is more fundamental. There really does have to be what I characterize as a very different regime for these kinds of offenders. Because they are a minority of the federal inmate population, I don't think these should be administrative decisions. These may be something that the Parole Board could consider and give direction on if certain criteria are met. You have to know that the criteria they're using right now is defective.

I've talked to the commissioner as well. I've expressed this. How can you justify a transfer, as I've said repeatedly, when the Parole Board itself has determined, based on all the evidence, that the offender is beyond treatment at this stage and has no remorse, no empathy and no insight? They apply a criteria that they say they follow properly, but they nevertheless justified this transfer. Plus, I would repeat the earlier comments that I've made about the particular offence this person committed. That's why it's shocking and incomprehensible. That's how Canadians responded. Instinctively, it was shocking and incomprehensible.

This is so hard for the families. I think everybody on the committee and.... I've always tried, for the last 43 years, to be non-partisan on these issues because I think it is non-partisan. We're protecting people from dangerous people and dangerous offenders. That we can allow something that the former minister, the Prime Minister and other political leaders called “shocking and incomprehensible” and then leave it.... What do I, as their counsel, tell them? What is the answer to that question?

There is no answer. I take all the political leaders at face value as being genuine and sincere when they talk about this being shocking and incomprehensible. Then we turn around and ask what we are going to do about it. Hopefully your committee will do something about it, because it has to be changed. This is the type of stuff—

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