Mr. Speaker, I rise today to underscore the importance I attach to any government initiative that would control the problem of the intimidation of society by organized crime.
Any attempt to intimidate a parliamentarian constitutes an attempt to intimidate the entire institution of parliament.
Any attempt to intimidate a party to the legal system, be it judge, witness or lawyer, constitutes an attempt to intimidate the entire legal system.
Any attempt to intimidate a member of the media constitutes an attempt to intimidate the media as a whole.
Parliament, the judiciary, and the media are all pillars of our democracy. It is time that concrete and effective actions were taken to preserve our democratic rights.
I am anxiously awaiting the outcome of government reflection and consultation on this matter. The measures we take must be energetic, effective and dissuasive in nature.