Pubdate: Tue, 27 Sep 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Maria McClintock
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Roszko (James Roszko)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

DROP POT BILL, FEDS URGED

Slain Cops' Kin Make Appeal Parliament Hill

Families of four Alberta RCMP officers ambushed and murdered last March 
want the federal government to formally dump its pot bill and get tougher 
on violent crime.

The families of the murdered Mayerthorpe Mounties also demanded the feds 
bring in a national drug strategy and a review of parole and sentencing 
criteria while cracking down on marijuana grow operations.

"We feel we have paid the price to be heard," said Rev. Don Schiemann, 
whose son Peter was one of the four officers shot dead by James Roszko 
during a search of his farm March 3. Schiemann and family of slain officers 
Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Brock Myrol were in Ottawa yesterday to 
press their case with the government.

CALLS FOR PAROLE REVIEW

"If we lay this before our politicians and they do nothing and this happens 
again, the blood of those men and women who are killed will be upon the 
heads of our politicians," Schiemann said.

The federal government has yet to introduce its pot bill to Parliament. 
Justice Minister Irwin Cotler denied it was being shelved although it's 
been stalled in a Commons committee for months.

The families are also calling for a complete review of parole and 
sentencing criteria, including consecutive sentencing, minimum sentences 
for drug offences and crimes against law enforcement officers and a 
three-strike rule for drug offences and crimes against law enforcement 
officers.

Both Cotler and Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan have said that while 
they're not convinced that amending the Criminal Code to include mandatory 
minimum sentences for gun-related crimes will impact on crime, the issue is 
now under review.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom