Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you all for attending. Chief historian and both assistant deputy ministers, like most Canadians, I was very much disturbed by what we have seen. I rose in the House of Commons two Mondays ago to reflect how I felt.
This message is for all three witnesses. I'm going to read out some language, because we're looking at how we should best move forward. The question relates to subsection 430(4.11) of the Criminal Code, which says:
Everyone who commits mischief in relation to property that is a building, structure or part thereof that primarily serves as a monument to honour persons who were killed or died as a consequence of a war, including a war memorial or cenotaph, or an object associated with honouring or remembering those persons that is located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery is guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction...
It then gives the penalties section. The maximum sentence when proceeding by indictment is 10 years.
The question I have to all three witnesses is whether you believe that these provisions are adequate and/or appropriate, given your knowledge in this area.