Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in speaking to Bill C-205, which is very important legislation. I felt really confident this afternoon after listening to many of my colleagues both on this side and on the opposite side of the House giving their support to this measure.
If there is something that our country needs at this point, it is assurances to the people on our streets, our families who have children walking our streets, that the streets are safe to the degree that we believe they are.
Much has been said about the fact that when criminals break the law, basically they do not do very much time. There ought to be a recognition that the real victims of crime are the ones who have lost family members in many cases, those who have been robbed perhaps of their property. There is not a community in this country that is exempt from those kinds of things taking place.
In my community a week and a half ago, two break-ins took place where there was a tremendous amount of property stolen. The report from the police was that they would not likely find those people. If they did, their property would never be recovered. The real victims are the ones who have lost property and, more so, those who have lost family members.
There was a murder in our community two years ago. Recently someone was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. It is a terrible thing that none of us can really appreciate unless we know someone who has gone through the experience. Perhaps there are those within the House who have experienced it within their families.
It is important to appreciate that sensationalism attracts people's attention. In arcades we find young people entertaining themselves. Where do they entertain themselves mostly? In those machines where there is a great deal of violence. Our young people are very much subjected to crime and violent acts, even from a very young age. It is my contention that we ought to be doing much more than we are in terms of cleaning up the kind of material being given to our children for viewing on television.
There has been much support for this measure. For the record, I read what has been said. The Canadian Police Association stated:
The Canadian Police Association is pleased to announce its support for Mr. Tom Wappel in his efforts to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes. Mr. Wappel's private member's bill will ensure convicted criminals will not be permitted to profit financially through writing a book or selling their story. This bill will provide much needed protection for victims of crime and ensure that their pain and suffering is not exploited.
The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime stated:
The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce our support for Mr. Tom Wappel's private member's bill concerning the proceeds of crime. If successful, this bill would prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes if, for example, they write a book detailing their criminal activities.
This kind of legislation has been a long time coming and will go a long way in ensuring that crime does not pay. That principle is a long standing value entrenched in the Canadian justice system and Canadian society.
CAVEAT stated:
We would like to thank you for this private member's bill which addresses the spectre of convicted offenders who stand to profit by exploiting their crimes.
Public confidence in a just and safe society depends on societal values being reflected by the justice system. Canadian society views violent offences in particular with revulsion and distaste. Criminals and their families should never be allowed to accrue rich rewards for their offences anywhere, any time, any place.
Mrs. Deborah Mahaffy, the mother of Leslie Mahaffy, wrote:
I endorse and fully support this innovative, resourceful and compassionate bill that recognizes that criminals must pay for their crimes, not the victims, who pay over and over again. Crime will continue to pay if we continue to let the criminals run our country and our courts.
We cannot afford to not support Bill C-205. Mr. Wappel has done his research and the Government of Canada and the people of Canada shall reap the benefits of prohibiting criminals from profiting from their crimes.
This mother certainly knows what crime is. This mother will forever have in her memory that she at one time had a daughter. She no longer has that family member. I sympathize with that situation, as do many others in the country.
It would behove all of us to give serious consideration to unanimously endorsing this kind of legislation. It is the kind of legislation which would give credence to the kinds of things which we believe are important. It is important for us to support this legislation. I thank the opposition members who have given voice to that support this afternoon. I look forward to their support when we vote on this bill at a later time.
