Department of Justice
www.justice.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INTENDS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO HELP COMBAT WHITE-COLLAR CRIME
OTTAWA, September 15, 2009 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, along with the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and MP Daniel Petit, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today announced the Government’s intention to introduce legislation in this session of Parliament to address white-collar crime. The proposed legislative amendments will include creating a mandatory jail sentence for those who commit serious fraud and additional aggravating factors to justify longer sentences.
“Canadians lose faith in the criminal justice system when they feel
that the punishment does not fit the crime. Our government has made the rights
of victims and the protection of society our priority in addressing such
concerns
,” said
Minister Nicholson. “We heard the call from victims of white-collar
crime and we are taking action. The legislation we plan to introduce will send
the message that committing fraud will have serious consequences.
”
“This upcoming legislation will also consider the issue of restitution
,” said
Minister Paradis. “Whenever possible, offenders should be held
responsible for the often-devastating financial loss that victims suffer, and
should be made to provide restitution.
”
“I was very moved by the concerns put forward by the victims of fraud
schemes with whom I have met
,” said Mr. Petit. “These
individuals and groups are working hard to protect others from suffering
the same loss of financial security and confidence they have endured.
”
The Government also took action against white-collar crime when it introduced Bill C-42 in June 2009. The Ending Conditional Sentences for Property and Other Serious Crimes Act proposes to end conditional sentences (for example, house arrest) for criminals who commit theft over $5,000. In addition, the Minister of Finance is working toward the establishment of a federal securities regulator, which would strengthen both regulatory and criminal enforcement.
-30-
Ref.:
