Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
The Honourable A. Anne McLellan
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0H8
Ms. Laura J. Portiss
4 - 44 King Street West
Dundas, Ontario
L9H 1T7
Thank you for your letter of June 24, 1998, sent by facsimile, requesting any assistance which I may provide in fighting organized crime in Canada. Specifically, you had commeted upon the United States Department of Justice and the Laborers International Union of North America ( LIUNA). I am not in a position to comment on what the United States is doing as regards organized crime. I apologize for the delay in responding.
As Minister of Justice responsible for the Criminal Code of Canada, I assure you that I am interested in any criminal matters being prosecuted in the courts of this country. Prosecuations are carried out after investigation by the appropriate police authorities in the various areas of the country. If you have any specific complaints concerning you and your familly, I suggest that you take them up with the local authorities in your area.
As to the general aspects of organized crime, my colleague the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada, is responsible for the policy on investigation of organized crime in Canada. I see that you have also written to the Solictor General and to the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour.
I hope that this is of some assistance.
Your sincerely,
A. Anne McLellan
cc: The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, P.C.,
M.P.
Solicitor General of Canada
The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, P.C.,
M.P.
Minister of Labour