Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Jack Wilson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) MINIMUM SENTENCES REVIEWED: JUSTICE MINISTER The province is taking a hard look at proposing minimum sentences for some drug offences, says Alberta's justice minister. Minimum jail terms should be levied against offenders instead of conditional sentences, Ron Stevens told staff and lawyers at Red Deer Courthouse on Wednesday. Stevens, in the city to open a new domestic violence court, said he agrees with everything the families of four slain Alberta RCMP officers advocate in terms of tougher sentencing of marijuana grow operators and tougher parole laws. "I've followed what they've said and from everything I've read, I believe the justice system has to be changed." The families want Ottawa to legislate mandatory minimum sentences of two to four years to ensure all operators serve jail time. Stevens said the parole system is the responsibility of the solicitor general. He said ministers can propose local issues but they may also affect people at a national level. "When you talk about the Criminal Code or drug legislation, that's within the power of the federal government." He said Ottawa generally wants consensus on proposals. The consensus usually means complete support for recommendations, he added. Stevens said the provincial justice ministers get together once a year to discuss issues and bring some forward to Ottawa. He said he will introduce issues of conditional and minimum sentencing to his Canadian counterparts at a November meeting in Whitehorse. "I feel all the provinces will be supportive of a change at this time," he said. He said there are not enough minimum sentence sections in the Criminal Code. The areas of marijuana grow operations, methamphetamine trafficking and production need change. "People in that line need to go to jail," he said. They shouldn't have the opportunity of receiving house arrest penalties, he added. "I think these areas will have a lot of appeal to the other justice ministers." The four Mounties were gunned down by James Roszko as they staked out his farm, where they had discovered stolen car parts and a marijuana grow operation. The families also want a three-strikes rule that would see mandatory prison terms for third offences of other kinds. - ---