I hope that this hypothetical example provides a helpful illustration of how this bill before you is carefully crafted to ensure that it can address a broad range of conduct with remedies that are measured and appropriate for the behaviour and are not penal in nature (0910) [English] Let me close my remarks by saying that Bill C-19 will strengthen the Competition Act to effectively deter anti-competitive practices in all industries.

But you have to understand, in the language of criminal law there is a spectrum in terms of gross violations of sexual integrity intercourse, etc. and something on the other end of the spectrum, the touching and the feeling.

The membership should reflect the various components of the research community and the range of scientific institutions which carry out research; it should include those with experience in universities, research institutes, academies, funding bodies, research in business and industry, for example.

In exercising its implementing powers, the Commission should respect the following principles: the need to ensure confidence in financial markets among investors by promoting high standards of transparency in those markets; the need to provide investors with a wide range of competing investments and a level of disclosure and protection tailored to their circumstances; the need to ensure that independent regulatory authorities enforce the rules consistently, especially as regards the fight against economic crime; the need for high levels of transparency and consultation with all market participants and with the European Parliament and the Council; the need to encourage innovation in financial markets if they are to be dynamic and efficie ...[+++]nt; the need to ensure market integrity by close and reactive monitoring of financial innovation; the importance of reducing the cost of, and increasing access to, capital; the balance of costs and benefits to market participants on a long-term basis (including small and medium-sized businesses and small investors) in any implementing measures; the need to foster the international competitiveness of EU financial markets without prejudice to a much-needed extension of international cooperation; the need to achieve a level playing field for all market participants by establishing EU-wide regulations every time it is appropriate; the need to respect differences in national markets where these do not unduly impinge on the cohesion of the single market; and the need to ensure coherence with other Community legislation in this area, as imbalances in information and a lack of transparency may jeopardise the operation of the markets and above all harm consumers and small investors.

This is an offence which covers a broad range of behaviour and which applies to both adult and child victims.

Senator Runciman: We heard testimony earlier about the broad definition of sexual assault, everything from fondling to a violent rape.