Mr. Chairman, I would like to respond to the amendment to remind members of the House that the convention is already covered by section 21 of the Criminal Code.
If we were to specifically reference those specific items again, it might lead to the suggestion that the Criminal Code only applies where it is specifically referred to. This could have the effect of complicating the Crown's ability to apply the Criminal Code to other aspects of the legislation. It would require specific references to the Criminal Code in each and every kind of reference.
The amendment would actually have the impact of re-enacting the Criminal Code. I do not think anyone in the House wants to gets into that business. We have been through that before. I would suggest to hon. members that this is already covered in the Criminal Code. This would simply complicate any interpretation and might lead to some difficulties with court interpretation on the matter.