Bill C-10 will definitely permit certain things, such as increasing prison terms and putting offences in perspective. Frequent reference is made to criminal organizations in Bill C-10, but proving that an organization is a criminal organization will continue to be a problem. Everyone knows that the members of criminal organizations that monitor members flying their colours or gang leaders possess firearms. Everyone knows that, but you have to prove it on the facts before the court.
Everyone knows that criminal organizations have weapons caches, in houses and vehicles, among other places. Last Sunday evening, two of these individuals, who had gone to intimidate someone at the casino, were searched. There were firearms in the middle of the Montreal Casino. The problem for us will be to have to prove that these people are associated with a criminal organization. We'll have to prove that connection. It will be difficult to call people as witnesses to testify in court, to ask experts to establish that connection with the criminal organization or to present a definition. If it's in the act and we use it, we'll check. If we can't prove the connection, we'll check to see whether there's a provision under which someone can be charged with an offence punishable on summary conviction. That person would then be sentenced to a fine, and that would nevertheless appear on his criminal record.
We'll have tools, and they'll already be in place, which is marvellous. The day we're able to provide this evidence, to have more people, including experts, and to have better communication, those tools will already be in the Criminal Code. When the system is ready, we won't be forced to wait for the politicians to examine the bill. You've gotten a head start, and that's very good. That's a good thing for all of Canada. Everyone knows that criminal organizations, whether they're in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg or anywhere in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick or Newfoundland, use firearms to do their work. Considering that, the system must ensure that the statutory provisions are enforced.