MONTREAL - The Conservative government has enacted a series of regulations intended to crack down on organized crime.
A series of changes, which were to take effect immediately, will expand the definition of a "serious crime" in Canada to include gambling offences, crimes related to drug smuggling and running a brothel.
Illegal casinos, book-making and cheating while gambling are all part of the new list of crimes that can now fall under the list of indictable offenses.
While the changes are only a narrow part of the Conservative government's push to crack down on crime, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said they will expand the tools available to police and prosecutors as they conduct gang investigations. Prostitution, illegal gambling and drugs form a major part of financing for much of organized crime, he said.
By making the crimes "serious offences," authorities can now pursue wiretaps, the seizure of proceeds of crime, and tougher bail, parole and sentencing conditions.
Claude Laferrière, the lawyer for a Quebec victims' rights group, suggested the changes are too small to strike fear into the heart of the criminal underworld. "There are a lot of questions and a lot of details to sort out," he said.
Because the changes were made to regulations, they will not face a vote in Parliament.