Thank you. Minister.

There is really no change from the current system except that people may take the option of getting the audio version. Also, too, with respect to appeals, particularly in criminal matters, if they are legal aid funded, I imagine, well, legal aid will pay for the cost of getting the transcript. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. If they are not legal aid funded, it might be more of a barrier. Has the department done any analysis of whether this is going to present a barrier with regard to access to justice, and, if so, could that be shared? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Goldney.

Thank you. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Essentially, we are doing what other jurisdictions have done some time ago, so this is quite usual in jurisdictions down south. Also, too, many of the decisions of the courts can be accessed on CanLii for no cost, so that won't change. Those cases will still be published, but, if you want a transcript of the whole trial, you may well be looking at some considerable cost. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I understand this has been done in other jurisdictions. I guess I still haven't got an answer about whether this is going to impact access to justice. If other jurisdictions have done this, what has been their experience with access to justice going this route? Has the department considered or done any analysis of what the experience is in other jurisdictions? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

We are not anticipating that this will cause any difficulties or reduce access to justice. We haven't done a study of other jurisdictions, but certainly the ones nearest to us and most of them in Canada have gone to this type of system. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess I remain to be convinced. Is this simply to just cut $478,000 out of the Department of Justice budget? That is one thing, but I haven't heard any evidence that the Minister of the department can cite that this is not going to adversely impact access to justice. If there is some kind of evidence from other jurisdictions, if they intend to track this and report on it, that would be helpful. I haven't seen any evidence. Is there any evidence that this is not going to adversely impact access to justice? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, we simply don't think that this will affect access to justice at all. I think those jurisdictions to the south of us that have gone to this type of system have not decided to go back to the old system of having a court reporter present in virtually all court proceedings. We simply don't think it is necessary anymore. I don't think it affects access to justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am thankful for the Minister's thoughts on this. I heard what he thinks about this. That is great, but I want some evidence, and I haven't seen any. The department doesn't seem to produce any, so I would remain concerned about this cut. Thanks, Mr. Chair. [Microphone turned off]... the Minister of the department, because I have asked several times, and they don't seem to be able to produce any evidence. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Justice, court services. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 285, it talks about the justice of the peace program here. I know that we have seen raises for the judges and that. Has the justice of the peace program been looked at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

I don't think that has been looked at recently. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. How do the justice of the peace increments occur? Thank you, Mr. Chair.