I want to address the issue of the definition proposed in the bill with the definition that applies in the case of state actors, which is under section 269.1 of the Criminal Code and basically adopts the definition provided for in the Convention against Torture. You've raised issues that could apply, practically speaking, in prosecuting an offence, given the inconsistencies in the definitions between the state provision and the non-state provision.
We heard, at our last justice committee meeting, officials from the Department of Justice who said that it would be preferable to have a different definition to avoid any confusion with Canada's obligations under the Convention against Torture. I want to clarify that it's your position that it would be preferable that the definitions be the same if we're going to pass a torture law.