Justice committee  The way that the common law and the criminal law have defined baiting is, I think, more than adequate protection. Again, these concerns were raised by colleagues. By the way, welcome to this committee, and welcome to the House of Commons.

Justice committee  It's a pleasure to have you. I know how hard it is to win an election, so you deserve every congratulation and your seat here. Well done.

Justice committee  Back to baiting, which we're not doing right now—

Justice committee  —you can rely on the criminal law and common law definition of baiting as being an activity to induce the ire of an animal. Bear-baiting was a traditional activity that would be covered by baiting, whereas putting bait on a hook for the purposes of angling would not be. It's a di

Justice committee  Yes, that is correct. I had said the word in French, harcèlement, which I think more adequately evokes the meaning that we want here, which is a way of provoking an animal to fight, as opposed to what is otherwise an enticement and a legitimate activity.

Justice committee  Yes. I have a letter here to my predecessor that was signed by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Chicken Farmers of Canada, the Pork Council,

Justice committee  Yes.

Justice committee  Thank you.

Justice committee  Well, I will admit to not having that psychological research in front of me. It is behaviour that we are trying to get at and to prohibit with these provisions. There is data that is beginning to be accumulated. The FBI in the United States has undertaken a data tracking survey t

Justice committee  I'm happy to provide information. Certainly there are the other private members' bills, including Bill C-246, that raised a number of different concerns that need to be looked at. We're happy to provide that information to you. Remind me, Ron, of the second part of your question

Justice committee  Provincial property laws, generally, will apply to animals. I know that Mr. Erskine-Smith was probably pointing us to a larger discussion about whether animals were property. He's smiling. As he knows, I spent all of my career looking at both property and intellectual property as

Justice committee  With respect to the bestiality provisions, my sense is that the challenges would be the same as with any sexual assault provision where you have a vulnerable party. Vulnerable parties are often not people who readily go to a police station and file a report. You're talking about

Justice committee  Thank you for that question and thank you for your good wishes. I think we have a pretty good bill moving forward. Your task as committee members is to give it a good hard look.

Justice committee  The Criminal Code provision is fairly wide, in the sense that it's not just building the arena or owning the animals, but it also involves the following: Every one commits an offence who under the proposed act who (b) in any manner encourages, aids or assists at the fightin

Justice committee  Right. I think your point is well taken. I think the wording of the act covers all of the participants and, therefore, meets the concern that you're raising.