Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is it proper I guess the concern that I have is the current bill, it reads, "after his or her election...convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code." Nothing in there covers whether they are found guilty of an offence. They can be convicted of an offence and given an absolute discharge, whether or not they committed sexual exploitation of children or violence against a person, without having to lose their seat. They could be set free and given a conditional discharge.

You could have lawyers pleading to the judge that the Members are threatened with the loss of their seat and embarrassed by all the publicity, and they can ask for a conditional discharge, and that their client be placed on probation. Then a Member could come back and sit in the House, even though they've been found guilty. I don't think that's the intent of this bill. I'm just trying to find out whether that's correct, if a Member is found guilty, placed on probation and given a conditional discharge then this bill is no good. Would a Member still be able to come back and sit as a Member? Could I get a legal opinion on that?