Pubdate: Sun, 18 Nov 2007
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239

FEDS SUIT UP FOR CRIME BILL BATTLE

In almost every neighbourhood, there is a marijuana grow op.

In almost every community, there is a meth lab.

And when police raid these operations, high-powered guns are usually 
part of the seizure.

While police may do their part, the justice system doesn't do its 
part as most raids and seizures take place without consequences to 
the perpetrators, said federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, who 
was in B.C. last week to talk about the Conservative government's 
proposed 'Tackling Violent Crime Act.'

"When people see these offenders back on the street, when neighbours 
see the people who had the meth lab back living at the house, it 
sends the wrong message," Nicholson said in an exclusive interview 
with Black Press.

Nicholson said his government is so determined to see changes to how 
Canada's justice system handles its most dangerous and prolific 
offenders that the Conservative party is willing to take it to a 
confidence vote.

"We are bringing this before Parliament and any attempt to sabotage 
that [justice] bill is a confidence measure - that's how serious we 
are," said Nicholson.

He was touring B.C. along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last 
week to drum up support for the crime bill that would see mandatory 
sentences for possession of weapons and violent offences while 
keeping dangerous offenders and sexual predators behind bars. And he 
recognizes it is Ontario, not B.C., where support for the bill is needed.

"The opposition laughed at us last time we introduced these bills. 
This time we've upped the ante," he said. "Right now, we are trying 
to build public support from coast to coast."

While the Tackling Violent Crime Act doesn't address issues around 
marijuana grow ops and meth labs, the feds plan to introduce such 
crime legislation soon, he said.

"The legislation will deal directly with grow ops and meth labs, 
trafficking and importing, but we do expect opposition on that."

When asked why it seems judges in Ontario hand out stiffer sentences 
than judges in B.C., he wouldn't comment. But he did say that the new 
justice bills will create stricter guidelines for judges to follow.

"There is going to be mandatory jail time for various offences and we 
will be providing guidelines for minimum sentences. Right now, judges 
only have maximum sentencing guidelines and no minimums."

getting tougher

If adopted into law, the Tackling Violent Crime Act would create 
mandatory jail sentences for convicted offenders who use guns in a 
violent crime.

It would also create tougher bail provisions, putting the onus on the 
offender to prove why he or she should be released.

The act would also create tougher sentencing and management of sexual 
and violent offenders. For example, if a person were convicted of a 
violent sexual assault using a knife, that person could more easily 
be designated a dangerous offender, putting him in jail for life.

The proposed legislation would also change the age of sexual consent 
from 14 to 16 and it would give police better tools to detect and 
investigate drug- and alcohol-impaired driving and increase penalties 
if charged.

If this bill is adopted, drivers suspected of being impaired would 
have to do a roadside test. If they fail, they would have to provide 
a blood or urine sample to confirm whether they consumed drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman