Citizenship and Immigration committee  No, sir, I don't.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The RCMP doesn't keep statistics specific to immigration consultants. You have to understand the mandate we have in terms of investigating criminal organizations. The investigations we undertake are usually based in relation to other criminal activities, and during the course of these investigations the role of immigration consultants surfaces.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  A long title. I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have on the role the RCMP plays with respect to individuals who act as immigration consultants and in the investigation of individuals operating outside of the regulatory body, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.

Public Safety committee  Yes, sir, they are.

Public Safety committee  One is a tube of counterfeit Krazy Glue. I would invite you to have a look at it, because in looking at it, you can't tell. The only way it was determined to be counterfeit was through analysis. To develop expertise even for the border enforcement officers is therefore next to impossible.

Public Safety committee  I haven't tried it. I had my experience with the batteries, and that was enough, frankly. I also have a package of Duracell batteries that are counterfeits. The way you can tell they are counterfeits is through some grammatical errors and spelling mistakes on the backs of the packages.

Public Safety committee  I think it would be fair to say that, depending on the type of product, they would not only be hard pressed to tell the difference, they would find it impossible to tell the difference.

Public Safety committee  Actually, it is of concern to industry how the warnings are being put out to the public. This is why we work closely with private industry, to try to minimize those impacts.

Public Safety committee  As I stated, historically we've had approximately 400 charges per year, and in 2005 there were approximately 700 charges laid nationally. I have to understand those 700 charges are not all related to organized crime in the traditional sense. As well, they represent a very small percentage.

Public Safety committee  --the outlaw motorcycle gangs and groups of that nature.

Public Safety committee  In terms of the perception of the judicial system, that question should probably be addressed to people who are part of the system—the judges, in other words.

Public Safety committee  The main distinction is the one I mentioned earlier. It has to do with our ability to get at the property of these organized crime groups. Whether we're talking about these kinds of assets or narcotics, the same groups are involved. The difference is that if the offences were committed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, we are able to seize the assets of the organization.

Public Safety committee  No, not in this case.

Public Safety committee  The definition of organized crime is found in the Criminal Code. It's pretty broad. It's three or more people, but I would submit to you that “three or more people” would include, especially if importation is involved, just about everybody who brings in counterfeit. The focus for the RCMP, of course, is on the traditional criminal organizations such as--

Public Safety committee  To my knowledge, there have been very few criminal prosecutions involving people identified as members of traditional organized crime groups. As I explained earlier, judicial independence means that it is up to the judge to decide what sentence is appropriate. I believe one can reasonably conclude that the sentences handed down to people involved in organized crime would be tougher than for merchants.