Government of Canada intends to introduce legislation to help combat white-collar crime

September 15, 2009

MP Shelly Glover with The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada


OTTAWA – 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.