We are presently holding public consultations across the country on this package. To date, we've had 35 sessions in nearly all parts of Canada hearing from groups representing a wide range of interests including victims groups, Crown and defence counsel, womens' groups, and mental health officials. We've also had extremely valuable input from the police, including the RCMP, municipal and provincial police forces and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. I think the breadth and scope of these consultations underline a basic truth about policing in the 1990s. Crime prevention is not just police business, it's everybody's business.
Crime is a community problem that calls for community solutions.
As you know, the Justice and Solicitor General Parliamentary Standing Committee tabled a report earlier this year on crime prevention in Canada. We heard the same message at the National Symposium on Community Safety and Crime Prevention sponsored by the Government of Canada in March of this year. We wholeheartedly endorse this philosophy as I am sure most, if not all of you do as well. And anyone who doubts our sincerity has only to look at our track record. Under the Canada Drug Strategy and the Family Violence and Brighter Futures Initiatives my Ministry has launched a series of projects designed to assist the police in responding to problems such as substance abuse, spousal abuse, missing children and other youth at risk.