Mr. Speaker, I know this issue has been canvassed, but I do find it disturbing that even on the current RCMP website, it says there are instances when the cost of witness protection may impede investigations, particularly for smaller law enforcement agencies. Provincial witness protection programs do not apply if the crime is federal in nature, involving drugs for example. The RCMP takes over those cases and charges the local police departments with the full cost. That is disturbing.
In the last year ending March 2012, only 30 people out of a total of 108 considered for the witness protection program actually got to benefit from it.
These seem to be significant problems. Is the member convinced that this legislation solves those problems?