Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to all of our witnesses for being here today to start off our committee study on what is a very important subject, and what has become even more important and more visible over the last year.
In the Criminal Code there are general offences for assault, for fraud, and for emotional abuse such as threats. The Protecting Canada's Seniors Act that was introduced by the former Conservative government, of which I was a part, implemented further protections for seniors by establishing sentencing principles that take into account the age, health, and financial situation of the victim.
Maybe Ms. Morency, you could expand a bit more on how defining elder abuse in the Criminal Code could build upon that act and establish further protections for seniors. I think this is something that we all care deeply about, but we want to make sure any actions we take will have a positive outcome.