I'm not sure if the Department of Justice or Environment Canada would answer this, but I'm wondering about the reason for the decision to remove the power and discretion of the judge, on conviction, to direct that the convicted party pay moneys to an impacted community, an NGO, or any other party. Why is the discretion of the judge now being fettered and made a political decision, with respect to who should be compensated and who shouldn't?
On March 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.