Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I really share my NDP colleague's concerns. I raised some points that we are addressing today when Dr. Fry introduced her bill in the House of Commons and we debated it. As you know, I support young people who are being bullied in Canada. I believe that, if a step is taken in the right direction, it must be supported.
However, not many of the experts who appeared during the two days devoted to studying the bill said that the emphasis should be placed on criminalization. Even around this table, we understand that funding must be allocated in order to make a real contribution to solving this problem. Organizations in the field and certain programs that help young people must be supported. Otherwise Canadian families must be assisted so that they can equip themselves more effectively. If parents do not know that their child is a bully—we talk a lot about those who are bullied, but let us not forget that bullies also have parents—how can they find a solution?
I myself am somewhat torn. When the NDP voted for the bill on second reading, it was not because we felt it was perfect, far from it. However, it was a good idea to conduct the discussion we are having today. I am pleased that the witnesses have helped fuel the discussion. That gives us some serious food for thought. Even though the Library of Parliament people told Dr. Fry that her bill was in order, several experts and some committee members thoroughly analyzed the initial bill and noted that it was problematic in several respects, particularly with regard to the redundant nature of the offence created.
If I voted in favour of this bill, I do not believe the problem of bullying or cyberbullying in Canada would be reduced by one iota. At best, we would be modernizing the language. As we saw, in London a few months ago, I believe, the police intervened in the case of some young girls who were bullying another girl over the Internet. We increasingly hear about police departments that have necessary tools and intervene in extreme bullying cases.
We are talking about assault and harassment here, but the vast majority of cyberbullying cases fall into a grey area, not a clearly criminal category. Otherwise, the police have the necessary resources to intervene to protect the victims.
I am anxious to hear my other colleagues' comments, but I want to say that I am very much torn. Even though I believe it is important to support efforts that are headed in the right direction, I do not believe this bill changes anything in any tangible way, apart from a few words in the Criminal Code.