Pubdate: Fri, 01 May 2009 Source: Devon Dispatch News (CN ON) Contact: http://www.devondispatch.ca/feedback1/default.aspx?e4=an_editorialemail Copyright: 2009 Sun Media Website: http://www.devondispatch.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5030 Author: Blaine Calkins Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) NEW LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINALS The safety and security of Canadians is one of the Government's most serious responsibilities. Since taking office in 2006, our government has brought in tough new measures to tackle violent crime and we are building on our previous actions to keep families safer. Property crime and auto theft in particular are serious problems in communities like ours and across Canada. Auto theft costs Canadians more than $1 billion every year. That's not even counting higher insurance premiums. It costs the insurance industry over $600 million a year and those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Even if you've never had your own car stolen, you are paying for the cars that are stolen. Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson, recently introduced legislation that would create a specific offence of "motor vehicle theft," a specific offence of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tampering, and a general offence to address all forms of trafficking in property obtained by crime. We also reintroduced legislation to crack down on the criminals and gangs who target innocent, hardworking Canadians and try to steal their identity information. Some experts estimate that individuals and companies lose $2 billion every year to identity theft and fraud. By targeting the roots of identity theft, like trafficking in personal information and government-issued IDs, we are making it harder for criminal organizations to operate. Our actions to deal with criminal activity don't stop there. We introduced a Bill in the House of Commons that will impose tough new penalties for criminals who sell drugs to children. As well, there are provisions that include mandatory jail time for those who produce and sell illegal drugs. It also targets drive-by and other reckless shootings that involve the careless disregard for the life or safety of others, and provides greater provisions to protect law enforcement officers. One area that particularly irks Canadians is the practice of two for one sentencing that gives credit for time served. Our Government brought in reforms to the Criminal Code that, if passed, will cap the amount of credit that individuals convicted of crimes receive for their time in pre-sentencing custody. Our Bill will ensure that persons denied bail because of their past criminal record, or for violating bail, would not be given extra credit for time served in detention before going to trial. We are hopeful that the Opposition Parties, in the House of Commons and Senate, will support these anti-crime initiatives and help us protect Canadians, their families and communities. Please contact my Constituency office for assistance or for information on federally related matters, postage free at: #6, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, T4J 1S7, tel: (403) 783-5530; toll free: 1-800-665-0865 or visit my web site at www.blainecalkinsmp.ca.