Government of Canada Cracks Down on White Collar Crime

October 20, 2009 -- Ottawa, Ontario -- The Minister of Justice, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, has announced that tomorrow, the Government of Canada will introduce legislation to crack down on white collar crime. This marks the latest step in the Conservative Government's tackling-crime agenda.

"To see your savings evaporate due to fraudulent activity is something that no one should have to experience," said MP Rob Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice. "That is why our government is taking significant steps to prevent and adequately punish white collar crime."

The federal government's new legislation calls for a two-year mandatory jail sentence for fraud over $1 million. It also adds new aggravating factors that can be considered when handing down sentences on cases of fraud. Such aggravating factors would include:
  • the financial and psychological impact of the fraud on the victim, given the victim's particular circumstances, including their age, health and financial situation;
  • if the offender failed to comply with applicable licensing rules or professional standards; and
  • the magnitude, complexity, and duration of the fraud and the degree of planning that went into it.
The proposed legislation also stipulates that judges must consider making offenders pay restitution to victims in all fraud cases. A standard form for victims would be created to indicate that they want the Crown to seek restitution from the offender and to set out their ascertainable losses. As well, it would permit the court to order an offender to not take on employment or volunteer work involving the supervision of other people's money. Additionally, the legislation would allow affected groups to submit Community Impact Statements to the court, which would describe the losses suffered as a result of a fraud perpetrated against a particular community, such as a neighbourhood, a seniors' centre, or a club.

The measures to tackle white collar crime are part of the federal government's comprehensive justice agenda. The government has already passed measures to combat reckless shootings, and is currently working to pass legislation that targets serious drug crime, auto theft and identity theft.

Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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William Spisso
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316