It's still me, Chair.
By way of introduction, the next few clauses, 172 to 176, relate to strengthening penalties under the act and other changes for consistent language. There are different offences listed for contraventions of different sections under this act. The changes to penalties with respect to imprisonment would align to those under recent changes to the Criminal Code. The changes to monetary penalties are meant to establish consistency for the monetary penalty structure in the PCMLTFA for a summary offence and ensure that the maximum available penalty is consistently half of the monetary penalties for its indictable counterpart for the same offence.
It is important to note that although the maximum criminal penalties have increased, or are being proposed to increase, it does not impact the discretion of the judiciary to determine the appropriate penalty. Specifically, clause 172 amends the penalty on summary conviction when found guilty of an offence under subsections 74(1) and 74(2) to a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment up to a term of not more than two years less a day, or both.