Minister, I have two brief questions.
These crimes will involve, in many cases, financial loss. A quick example, as a concern, would be the lugubrious fashion with which the Criminal Code treats civil loss. I assume that the application after conviction will apply, but for any of us who know this, it's a bit inefficacious. Is there some move in the department to update the aspect of restitution for victims? It is very much pervasive in our system now for people to have civil loss as a result of criminal activity.
The second thing I'd like to know perhaps could be answered by the departmental officials.
This is complaint-driven. There has to be someone who informs or makes a complaint. In economic crimes, in identity crimes, there are other players than the victim. There are the people who have the information banks, etc. Is there some sort of public education program involved to get the other players to be more forthcoming in complaining about crimes?
As you know, many of the victims of economic crimes are reticent to come forward, because in some cases they don't trust the system. I suppose in some cases they are embarrassed that their credit card was stolen while they were purchasing something on late-night TV, or I don't know what. What public education program is there for these people who may not be as forthcoming?