I will try to be quick.
Let me say from the outset that the NDP supports victims of crime, their families and their communities, as we were able to clearly see in previous testimony. They are often collateral victims.
The NDP also supports better funding for programs for victims. In our view, that is where money should be invested.
We also recognize the importance of supporting judicial discretion. Judges are in the best position to decide whether a person is able to pay the surcharge or not. Cases of extreme poverty, as it has been pointed out, mental health problems, intellectual disabilities, and so on, are real obstacles to payment.
In addition, I used to be a criminologist. I know that criminals like to wash their hands of it all, pay a fine of $100 or $200 if they can afford it and get off easy. That is what they love. I, for one, am in favour of prevention. That is the best way to reduce the number of potential victims.