Thank you very much.
Good afternoon, everyone. I have met several of you before, as you have previously appeared before us.
I'm going to give a brief summary because we are trying to synthesize what we are referring to as the problem of organized crime. We have traveled to different places, including Montreal, our main base in the province of Quebec. My question is addressed to Mr. Morin and Mr. Battista.
If you are of a certain age, you are surely aware of the Organized Crime Commission of Quebec, otherwise known as the Cliche Commission. You have experienced gang wars, and the bombs and recent arrest of members of the mafia. Right now, there are approximately 36 street gangs that have been identified in the city of Montreal. There are also newspapers that provide us with information; I'm referring to very well-known newspapers. There's a problem at the Port of Montreal, where drugs enter the area in containers. There are also problems at Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Airport. All of this involves organized crime. In addition, the UN has just declared that Canada is a distribution hub for ecstasy; there is the greatest demand for ecstasy here in the country. All of this is going on in Quebec. I'm not talking about the other provinces. And that's why my question is addressed to you.
I am a lawyer in Quebec and am a member of the same Bar as Mr. Battista; in fact I am still a member of the Quebec Bar. You emphasized an important point: facilitators. I am both very curious and cautious on this issue. The Bar has already announced its position on that. As you know, there is verbal war between the Quebec Bar and your organization. They are claiming that they are being asked to compromise confidentiality.
We must formulate recommendations. There are groups of federally regulated lawyers, notaries, banks and bankers, accountants, bankruptcy trustees, and even shady government officials. They're all professionals with accreditation.
Our professional order is quite a bit older than the Sûreté du Québec, we have powers and privileges. I'd like to know what you are seeking.