It has profound social and economic impacts. Its effects are insidious and pervasive, affecting the lives of each of us directly or indirectly. Most of the latter offences fall within the responsibilities of my provincial colleagues, but drugs remain the commodity of choice of organized crime, and drug-related prosecutions comprise a large component of your practice. Wearing my Minister of Justice hat, I am proud that I can point to a number of significant initiatives that help to give substance to the Government's commitment to provide Canadians with safe streets, safe communities and safe and secure borders. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it does illustrate the commitment of the Government to further a legislative and policy agenda that addresses organized crime, and in a way that is intended to assist you in doing your job.
New legislation means new work for federal prosecutors.
And it is the daily work of federal prosecutors in court that gives shape and substance to the intent of the legislation passed in Parliament. It goes without saying that the effective curtailment of criminal activity is achieved by the collective efforts of all parts of the criminal justice system, from prevention to enforcement to apprehension and prosecution. In developing the government's strategic and legislative program, I count on you, as my representatives in the criminal justice system, to keep me informed of new tools it would be useful to develop and legislative amendments I should table as Minister of Justice, in order to help you better represent me in my role as Attorney General of Canada. I understand that the demands and expectations placed on federal prosecutors are greater than in the past, both nationally and internationally. Internationally, you are expected to contribute more to the fight against transnational organised crime and, through international or other agreements, to be leaders and providers of assistance to more disadvantaged governments.