Mr. Niall Walsh:

Everyone on the panel agrees the current legislation is very restrictive. While Senator Ruane's proposed legislation is a step in the right direction, this is the fourth time I have been privileged, or not, to be here campaigning through the IPRT to get legislation passed. The Senator's legislation reflects the political realities of trying to get this passed. Legislation like this leads to safer communities. While one is trying to strike a balance with public safety, if one acknowledges, which is not to forget, that a conviction is in the past and that the person can move on, it leads to safer communities. If that part of a person's past is allowed to remain in the past, they can reintegrate into society.