We support the idea of conducting a study on organized crime and to do so, we need your insight. You all spoke to us about your field of expertise, but now I would like to ask some questions that I hope you can answer.
When governments decided to control alcohol, they said they wanted to reduce organized crime. One of the first things to be nationalized was alcohol. That was the case in my province and perhaps in other provinces. Next came gambling. Once again, the objective was to reduce organize crime, which was still a problem.
Now we face a challenge. Even if we nationalize everything that criminal gangs have or want, we will be forced to deal with things like drug problems, human trafficking and money laundering. Poor people are always the ones to have alcohol and drugs; they are the ones who wind up in prison. Whether aboriginal or white, poor people are the ones who take the rap because of these things that belong to the government. We must not forget that the government has ownership over alcohol and gambling, for example.
I wonder if you have any suggestions, based on your own personal experience. Mr. Rice is proposing legal solutions, but are there any solutions that could be introduced on the ground and that we could include in our report? We want to curb organized crime. As you know, we control everything related to the vices that exist in society, yet we cannot fix this problem. From your perspective, how would you go about it?
My question is for everyone, but primarily for those who work in the field, for instance, Ms. Fox, Mr. Cenaiko, Mr. Foss and Mr. Louis. As for Mr. Rice, I understand the issue of disclosure.