I appreciate the opposition's supporting this bill in principle and I respect the fact that you have questions you need to ask.
First of all, I am a little confused about the issue that street gangs are now included. In my opinion, the nature of the crime and who commits it is irrelevant; if a witness needs protection, that's the only criterion. We don't make a distinction about whether somebody is part of a street gang or whether it's old Mafia or other types of organized crime that is going against witnesses. The criteria that are considered are those laid out in the statute, and I don't believe there is any restriction on the type of criminal who is causing these individuals to be threatened. Somebody must be mistaken.
Maybe I could get the RCMP to correct me, if I am mistaken in this.