I'm very supportive of the establishment of the fund, but that does not answer my question. My question is, why is the decision being taken away from the judge? I was delighted to discover that the Ontario region of Environment Canada was on its own in compiling lists of people who could do good work if the judge directed that the convicted party pay funds to them or to compensate the community. This bill is removing the power of the court to do that. Instead, it is telling the judge that he can refer the matter to a minister, who can decide if he thinks somebody deserves to be paid.
On March 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.