Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As everyone knows, I had an opportunity to speak to the original bill that was introduced by our colleague, the honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent. I believe that, in reviewing the comments that had been made in this Assembly and recognizing some major concerns that had been raised by Members and the positions that had been taken, and having read the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I must, Mr. Chairman, commend the honourable Member for responding to the concerns that were expressed and therefore considering them, I think, seriously and in the context that they were presented.

I want to say, Mr. Chairman, that having reviewed the legislation and taken the matter to my Cabinet colleagues and having had a discussion with them, I want to advise the honourable Members that we will be supporting the legislation that has been proposed by our colleagues --and the amendment is appropriate --and the recommendations and suggestions made in the discussions of the Standing Committee on Legislation.

I would like to raise two issues irrespective of whether or not we believe the legislation is important. One, the comments that have been made about the seriousness of the violations of the Criminal Code in the matter of sexual interference. I think these are of a serious nature and we would never want to underestimate them, nor the seriousness of them. I do want to say one thing and that is that the same matter of concern we're raising with regard to those that have been offended should always also be seen in the context of those rights that are also offered under the Charter; that is, that there are certain defences, the fight to be innocent until proven guilty and the right of a defence to prove that the charges that have been alleged or stated may not, in fact, be proven to be truthful.

Recognizing that and recognizing the seriousness of the efforts of the honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake and the recommended legislative change, we are prepared to support the recommendations of the honourable Member.