Justice committee  Just speaking from my own experience, it's a significant access to justice issue, at least in my area. In southwest Nova Scotia but throughout most of Nova Scotia, not just rural towns but in the city, we see so many self-reps nowadays. I think if that was permitted without the amendment to allow the law students or articling students to appear, it would create many more problems, or it would enhance or increase the problems we're dealing with here with respect to access to justice.

Justice committee  With respect, Mr. Fraser, the word “routine” makes me squirm. What is routine? We've all been involved in situations in which we're asked to admit continuity, as an example, in blood samples, drug cases, and so on. Coincidentally, I had a case last week that involved alleged abuse on a senior in a seniors' home by a worker there.

Justice committee  It's a good point. I do concur with that. I've indicated that I've been involved with a fair number of cases in which the preliminary inquiries help the Crown much more than myself by pointing out weaknesses that they're able to rectify. It has often arisen, both very recently and a number of years ago, that witnesses, as you say, are either not available or deceased.

Justice committee  That's a very good question. I can't answer that. All I can say is that we all know that most of the offences in the code do not have a maximum life sentence, so we're very much limited. One can certainly impliedly reach the conclusion you just did. Further than that, I cannot say.

Justice committee  Thank you very much. This is my first time having the pleasure of appearing before this committee. I have to give some comments on or insight into at least some of the legislated changes contemplated by Bill C-75. As a general prelude, I operate a general practice, but most of my work is as a criminal defence lawyer, mainly in small towns in rural Nova Scotia.

Justice committee  Thank you very much.