Senator, I speak with provincial premiers often in my capacity as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. As I said, Premier Ford and I discussed this issue as recently as Friday, which was 10 days ago.

We had worked collaboratively following the Council of the Federation meeting; you are referring to the Council of the Federation meeting that was held this July. Over a year ago, the Council of the Federation also asked to work with us on important amendments around bail legislation, which we did collaboratively with the provincial governments. It was a positive exercise in the life of this Parliament.

We’re always looking at ways to ensure that we have the right balance between respecting the constitutional rights of persons to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, while recognizing the important public safety requirement of keeping persons incarcerated before their trial — those decisions, as you know, are largely in the hands of provincially appointed judges. It can be reviewed by superior courts. There is a process in place. Provincial prosecutors can appeal decisions that they don’t agree with.

It is not strictly a straight line between a legislative instrument. It is a very important issue for public safety. I share that concern, and I work with the premiers and others to ensure we have the right balance.

Again, senator, that is a phrase that your leader’s office, or somebody, produces. Catch-and-release is something that — as senators from my province of New Brunswick would know — is usually applied to salmon angling. That would be the appropriate use for that phrase.

These decisions are made by independent judges. Prosecutors are the ones who object to the release of certain individuals. There is a judicial process that follows. There are appeal processes. Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that the laws with respect to repeat violent offenders are appropriate. I am happy to continue to work with parliamentarians to ensure that we have that part of the equation right.