Government of Canada introduces Legislation to stand up for Victims of White-Collar Crime
May 03, 2010

REGINA – Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina – Lumsden – Lake Centre, today applauded the Government’s re-introduction of legislation to provide tougher sentences for fraud, and help combat white-collar crime.

“White-collar crime has a devastating impact,” said Mr. Lukiwski.  “Our Government has listened to the concerns of victims of fraud. We are taking action to help them seek restitution and give them a voice in the sentencing those who have harmed them so profoundly.”

“Our Government is standing up for victims of white collar-crime,” said Minister of Justice, Rob Nicholson.  “Our legislation would make jail time mandatory – at least two years for fraud over $1 million. It would toughen sentences further, by adding aggravating factors courts can consider.”

These 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;
  • the offender’s failure 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 would require judges to consider demanding offenders make restitution to their victims in all fraud cases. It would permit the court to prohibit the offender from taking employment or doing volunteer work involving authority over other people’s money. The court would also be permitted to receive and consider a Community Impact Statement that 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.

Links