That's a very good question, Mr. Goguen.
The provisions with respect to the white collar crime act are very specific. I think I have the wording here. It targets specifically where “the offence had a significant impact on the victims, given their personal circumstances, including their age, health and financial situation”. It's very specific with respect to the type of offence that's being committed.
You will remember and you've seen stories where people have come up with schemes that deliberately, particularly, targeted seniors, to steal their money, to rob them. I think it was important for us to make changes that are specific to that type of crime. You've enumerated a number of them: people who take advantage of their position or their profession and the reliance people place on that, or the effect it can have on a particular group. It's not just the amount of money, or it's not just the fact that it's been stolen, but you might devastate groups that do good work in society and have them robbed of that. It's of concern to all of us. Again, with respect to seniors, the effect it can have on them...that is specific in terms of aggravating factors.
The provisions you have before you are the general provisions with respect to aggravating factors. If it's a white collar crime, then those provisions kick in. These apply to all offences outside of that. It's a general application. Again, I'm pleased, as you indicated, that there is general support for this.