Who needs to pay $200.00 a ticket to see Les Misérables in theatres, when we can get free, premium seats in our own courtrooms? Unreasonable fines and the threat of jail for a person's inability to pay a court-imposed fee affronts the spirit of our sentencing principles, is immoral and unconstitutional.

If the government cared about accountability and helping victims of crime, it would promote programs that help victims heal, confront their offenders and their fears, and move on with their lives. If the government truly cared about accountability and the welfare of victims, it would invest in good restorative justice programs.

On Thursday, the House continues its debate on Bill C-37 -- the "victim surcharge bill" -- government legislation that doubles the amount of the victim surcharge -- money collected from convicted offenders to support victims of crime. Simply put, there is no evidence that the federal victim surcharge either deters crime as is, or that its doubling will do so.