Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for your testimony.
Ms. Latimer, I need to challenge your assertion that the Criminal Code ought not to distinguish between different classes of offence.
You used the analogy of theft. You're quite right, the Criminal Code over time has carved out specific classes of theft and provided them with specific penalties. At one time, I think it was a hanging offence to steal cattle. It's not anymore.
You'll agree with me that Parliament has drawn distinctions concerning specific classes of property, part of it being purely monetary. The Criminal Code distinguishes between theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000, and similarly with mischief.
I want you to comment. Since the Criminal Code already distinguishes a $5,000 monetary value, it makes it a more serious offence if that which is stolen or desecrated is less than or more than $5,000. Why is it not a logical extension, if Parliament so chooses, to carve out a further specific aggravating factor—although it's not to say that's an aggravating factor, it's actually imposing a stiffer sentence with respect to something that Parliament might feel needs specific protection—and that's concerning war monuments?