Yes.
Ms. Block, I'd like to begin by saying, one, I commend retired Senator Jerry Grafstein for bringing this forward and you for taking it up when Senator Grafstein retired.
I support this bill wholeheartedly. I think the objective of the bill is laudable and that you are correct, as was Senator Grafstein, that this will put Canada in a leading role.
Perhaps in order to allay some of the concerns that my colleague Mr. Lee expressed, I'd simply like to go to the paragraph in the Criminal Code that this bill would be amending.
If one looks at the text immediately following item 83.01(1)(b)(ii)(E) in the Criminal Code, we see the words:
and includes a conspiracy, attempt or threat to commit any such act or omission, or being an accessory after the fact or counselling in relation to any such act or omission
And then it goes on.
So I believe that the concerns of individuals, and perhaps some organizations, that this bill has no purpose because, by definition, if a suicide bomber is successful there's no one prosecute, are in fact incorrect, because the bill would allow for sweeping up those who counsel this kind of activity and those who engage in facilitating it.
And for that you have my complete support.
Thank you.