Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the discussion on this area. Mr. Chairman, a couple aspects of it that I might go to; the news, that compared to any other jurisdiction, we are busier on this front than most parts of Canada is impressive. I would like to see if the department could supply at some time or make public or make more public, any kind of report or assessment or snapshot on the level, the amount and the nature of these committees.
Just to give one example, perhaps in a given community, it doesn't matter which one, what percentage of applicable offences would be referred to a community justice committee and what percentage would go through the conventional court system. It is my understanding that police have some jurisdiction and in some cases even the offender has some discretion into whether to choose the community justice system or the court system. Just getting some sense of how active we are, what are the trends in terms of acceptance and effectiveness of the community system? If there are existing reports and they have already been presented to the committee, I apologize. Perhaps I just need to be reminded.
The one other question that I put on this issue, Mr. Chairman, the Minister advised that the proposed budget puts an additional $240,000 into this program and I am just wondering if we have found or made it a priority to inject more money in, would there be a corresponding increase in activity. Is it largely a matter of funding that is potentially holding us back, or are there other things we need to factor in here? Those are the two things that I leave on the table. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.