Senator Pate: I listened carefully to your comments, and I have a couple comments and then a question.

You actually quoted from the minority decision in Lloyd when you talked about them suggesting that we’re not obliged to create exemptions. In fact, the majority did support the creation of exemptions.

You also mentioned mandatory supervision which hasn’t existed for more than a decade, and has been replaced by a statutory provision that allows for application but doesn’t guarantee any release.

I think you’re probably familiar with the many reports of the Office of the Correctional Investigator showing that, in fact, most people — particularly Indigenous and Black prisoners — don’t get out at their dates. In fact, those serving the longest sentences, particularly life sentences, sometimes serve 10 or 20 times what their eligibility periods are.

But my question is this: In the situation of an abused woman — which is the majority of the Indigenous women who are serving life sentences and who are essentially deputized to protect themselves because of the abuse they experienced — because of the many issues you and Senator Dalphond ably raised about the discrimination throughout the system, when they are in the midst of being attacked, they may need to grab a weapon. That will ensure they receive a mandatory minimum penalty, and in most cases, it will ensure the charge laid against them will be a charge of first-degree murder.