The Government’s Efforts to Fight
Organized Crime
March 30, 2001
Yesterday’s successful joint forces operation
against the Hell’s Angels in Quebec and elsewhere is yet another example of
what we can achieve through effective laws and the diligent efforts of Canadian
law enforcement agencies to fight organized crime. This three-year investigation
-- which involved nearly 2000 police officers from over 30 police services --
culminated in over 100 arrests yesterday.
Combating organized crime requires the
co-operative efforts of all levels of government and police forces here in
Canada and abroad.
In the Speech from the Throne, the government
indicated that it would take aggressive steps to combat organized crime,
including the creation of stronger anti-gang laws and measures to protect
members of the justice system from intimidation.
At the last meeting of Ministers of Justice and
Solicitors General in Iqaluit (September 2000) Canada's justice ministers agreed
to make combating organized crime a priority and to work together to develop the
most effective means of dealing with it.
Since then, the Federal government has consulted
with provinces, police and other stakeholders on possible legislation.
A review of all legislation that deals with
organized crime has been ongoing and necessary changes will be made as soon as
the review is complete.
The Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Organized
Crime has also worked to identify possible legislative and non-legislative
solutions to address organized crime. And we are working with our provincial and
territorial counterparts to examine all proposals that would give us effective
tools to deal with this problem.
The Government of Canada is committed to doing
its part, in collaboration with its partners. And we have made significant
progress. For example:
- Today there are 13 Integrated Proceeds of
Crime Units investigating organized criminal activity across Canada. The
RCMP, Justice Department lawyers, forensic accountants, Canada Customs and
Revenue Agency officials as well as provincial and municipal police are all
working together to seize illegally obtained assets.
- Since 1997, assets valued at $140 million have
been seized and over $70 million in fines and forfeitures have been realized
as a result of investigations by proceeds of crime units across Canada.
- The RCMP has received a $584 million budget
increase over three years and an additional $15 million a year for increased
surveillance at Canada's airports.
- The Anti-Smuggling Initiative, introduced in
1994 has led to 17,000 smuggling-related charges in excess of $113 million,
and $118 million in evaded taxes and duties has been identified.
- The Witness Protection Program Act came into
force in 1996.
- We have passed legislation making the reporting
of suspicious transactions, including cross-border currency transactions,
mandatory -- targeting money-laundering operations.
- Investigative powers for police have been
strengthened by introducing the concepts of "criminal organization",
"criminal organization offence" and "participation in a
criminal organization offence" into the Criminal Code.
- Working through the United Nations, the G8, the
Council of Europe and bilaterally with the United States, Canada is a leader
in working to ensure that the necessary legal framework is in place to combat
crime globally.
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