Evidence of meeting #5 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was intelligence.
6 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
Thank you so much.
Just before we adjourn, I have a quick question. Following up on Mr. Murphy's last question to you, Superintendent, I would like to plumb those waters a little bit more.
You mentioned you saw the judiciary as the gatekeeper of the sentencing process, I believe. Without putting you on the spot, are you satisfied with how the gatekeepers are discharging their duty?
6 p.m.
Supt Robert W. Davis
You want me to answer that in a public forum?
I have tremendous confidence and respect the judiciary to do that. However, as a general statement they don't see a whole lot of charges that are out of the ordinary. They don't see a whole lot of the Excise Act and those kinds of things. If I could make a general statement, it would be that it would be helpful to increase the overall awareness of the judiciary as it relates to the less routine kinds of federal statutes that we are able to use for prosecution so they can be alive to the economic consequences of some of those activities.
6 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
Do you feel that in some cases, even if it's a limited number of cases, it is helpful for those gatekeepers to have additional direction from the elected officials?
6:05 p.m.
Supt Robert W. Davis
I think it's a bit early in the game to be going down that road. My personal view is that there are other things we could probably do better before we start to nudge them along legislatively.
6:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
My last question will be to Inspector Randy Franks.
You were somewhat skeptical about the ability to intervene in terms of addressing the vulnerability of youth when it comes to acting as mules. I sensed that you had some hesitation about whether tougher laws would help that.
6:05 p.m.
Insp Randy Franks
I thought it was tougher sentencing; I believe the legislation allows for sufficient sentencing now for youths. The maximum sentences are there. But I don't believe that youths would be deterred by a potentially more severe sentence, as opposed to the money and the lure of the money they can make today by working as a mule or as a trafficker at the corner for the higher-level people in the group.
6:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
Have you looked at the amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act that our government has proposed?
6:05 p.m.
Insp Randy Franks
Yes, I have.
6:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
They basically focus on the most violent young offenders. Are you supportive of that legislation?
6:05 p.m.
Insp Randy Franks
Yes, I'm absolutely supportive of that. It's needed and welcomed.
6:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
Thank you.
Thanks to all of you for appearing. Your evidence is very helpful as we work towards a report on this. That will be issued probably within the next few months.
Thanks. We're adjourned.