Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That first question was not the same kind of questions that you had, but that is a good question all the same. The question was, has there ever been a comparison done of convictions and acquittals where an individual hires his own lawyer, pays out of his own pocket because he could afford to, as compared to individuals who cannot afford to go hire their own lawyers and have to use legal aid lawyers?

I would say the cost to hire your own lawyer is a hell of a lot more than the representation you would get from legal aid. You would probably get a higher conviction rate using legal aid than hiring your own lawyer.

I am just wondering if there was ever a comparison done. If there has not been one done, can the department do one?

Justice should not have a price on it. Everyone should have equal justice. In my mind, that is the way it is supposed to be. If you cannot afford a good lawyer, you may end up in the slammer. If it is a first time offence, then you become ingrained in the system and it is hard to get out of that system. Can the Minister answer that question for me? The comparison of conviction and acquittal rates when using legal aid and convictions and acquittals when using private lawyers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.