We are creating in the world a system of international justice. Canada has been very much a leader in that process. It's been under previous governments, but this is really not a partisan issue and should not be a partisan issue. We have the new International Criminal Court. It's widely touted as such a great achievement in providing justice when these crimes occur, when we had nothing in place throughout history, and in giving hope that we will send this message and deter atrocities. But it doesn't have the jurisdiction or the funding to take on more than a handful of cases in any situation that occurs. Its jurisdiction also started only in 2002.
Part of the vision was that we would bring cases forward. Ideally, that would be in the affected countries, but there are many reasons why that is not practical, unless there's been a change of government or unless the legislation exists, etc. Investing in those affected countries and in justice there makes sense, but it's also always been envisioned that countries that don't have a direct connection would also make this kind of contribution. It's only through those kinds of web of accountability mechanisms that we can send this message.
From a victim's perspective, we have people who come forward to us, people who are in Canada who are survivors. There is such a consistent message from people that seeing justice in response to the abuses is so important as a healing tool, to really see that we in Canada take seriously what occurred. It's not about revenge. It's very much about people having a sense that there's justice, just as we feel if we've ever been a victim of any kind of wrong or crime. People express that even if it's not about their own case. It's about other cases related to their home country and others as well.