Yesterday we heard testimony from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. They told us that in Vancouver and Toronto, the rate of homicides with a firearm was the highest, 0.9 people per 100,000 inhabitants. The clerk could send you a copy of those statistics but I am sure you are quite familiar with them.
I am interested in the effectiveness of legislative measures. There was no substantive study tabled before this committee showing that minimum sentences act as a deterrent. If they did, we would not be in the situation we find ourselves in because, if you recall, Bill C-68 was passed in 1995, and under that bill, 10 offences led to a minimum sentence of four years. But believing in minimum sentences doesn't mean that nothing should be done.
With respect to street gangs, what do you think is currently lacking? Do you think there's something lacking in the Criminal Code, in the way investigations are carried out, or in our ability to catch people in the act?
I was in the House when Bill C-95 was passed, whereby a new offence dealing with gang activity was created. The bill was subsequently amended because the chief of police said that the three “5” system — five offences committed over five years by five individuals — was not workable. The gang activity offence was therefore modified.
Is something lacking in the Criminal Code with respect to street gangs? Should we be creating new offences or adding new rights? What would you suggest?