One of the things that people have told me—those who work with me—is that there is no consistency in this particular area. I don't know if there's anybody who would disagree that there is no consistency in that.
It seems to me that, on the one level, there should be consistency with respect to the application of the penalty provisions of the Criminal Code. I think that stands on its own. Quite apart from that, the concept of reinforcing our support for victims of crime and victim services is something that sells itself and commends itself to me, and I'm sure to most people as well. It's a good idea to assist with programs that assist victims of crime in this country.
It seems to me that it works on both levels: that we can and should have a consistency with respect to the penalties that are dealt with in the Criminal Code and, at the same time, that whatever efforts are made by us as parliamentarians to support victims of crime in this country and victim services is something that can and should be supported. I think it works on both those levels.
Why did we do this? You know of our continuing efforts with respect to the support for victims of crime in this country. This is a perfect fit.
But you're quite correct in that at the same time, I've heard for quite some time that there is a complete inconsistency on this. As I pointed out to Ms. Findlay, it has been since 2000 that even the level of the fines has been revisited. We can't go for another 100 years and leave it at 50 bucks for summary conviction offences. You have to take a look at it every so often and ask if it is keeping pace with the demands for victim services in this country so that they're not stuck at a year 2000 level of services and prices. Again, the amount of money going to help victims has to be consistent with that as well.