We are debating over one word, and I don't want to unduly prolong this. We all understand and agree that all crime has an impact on the victims. I believe our government has been very consistent in standing up for victims and in speaking to how we know crime affects their lives, sometimes for a lifetime.
I think we're getting a little off topic here. The purpose of aggravating factors is that they are applied to cases when the impact is significant and therefore should result in a stiffer or higher penalty. This is where our judges are called upon all the time to weigh the factors; we are simply saying in this legislation that if there's a significant impact that a judge is going to see as the factors roll out, we want them to take these issues, such as the age of the victim or their vulnerability, into account. We're giving them the legislative authority to give a stiffer penalty when it is somebody who is particularly vulnerable, in this case our seniors.