Pubdate: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 Source: Drumheller Valley Times (CN AB) Copyright: 2009 Valley Printing & Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.valleytimes.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4054 Author: Kevin Sorenson, (Crowfoot MP) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) GOVERNMENT BRINGS FORWARD NEW TOUGH CRIME LEGISLATION Hard-working Canadians in our constituency, focusing on the challenges their families face during the global economic crisis, have been distracted by recent examples of extreme gang violence in British Columbia. This has come as a stark reminder that the safety of our communities requires constant vigilance. During my years serving as an Official Opposition critic for the Justice, Public Safety and Solicitor General portfolios, I asked many questions in the House of Commons and in committees about the lax attitude of the Liberals that, over more than a decade, allowed Canada's justice system to decline. Police forces were underfunded. Laws and punishments were outdated and did not fit the crimes being committed. Since forming government in 2006, our Conservative government has tried to strengthen Canada's criminal justice system to better protect and serve Canadian individuals and businesses. We delivered 1,500 new RCMP officers and are working with the provinces and municipalities towards hiring 2,500 new municipal police officers. We have already passed laws providing mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes; tougher laws to keep gun criminals off the streets and tougher sentences for repeat violent offenders. Many of you will recall the long battle we had with the Liberals to pass our Tackling Violent Crime Act that became law early last year. Our government continues to introduce new tools to fight street gangs and other forms of organized crime. Bill 14, an Act to Amend the Criminal Code (organized crime and protection of justice system participants) targets gang violence and other serious crime. It will provide law enforcement officials and the justice system with better means to address organized crime-related activities, in particular gang murders and drive-by shootings. If passed by Parliament, our proposals will make murders connected to organized crime activity automatically first-degree; create a new offence to address drive-by and other reckless shootings; and, create two new offences of aggravated assault against a peace or public officer and assault with a weapon on a peace or public officer. Each of these measures includes longer incarceration times. Bill C-15 proposes amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and would impose mandatory jail time for producing and selling illegal drugs. This Bill allows us to fight back by targeting the drug crimes committed by gangs and organized crime. We are establishing special penalties when offences are carried out for organized crime purposes or if they target youth. At the same time, Bill C-15 allows a Drug Treatment Court to suspend a sentence while the addicted accused person takes an approved treatment program. If the person successfully completes the program, the court normally imposes a suspended or reduced sentence. These courts include a blend of judicial supervision, incentives for reduced drug use, social services support, and sanctions for non-compliance. No part of our society is immune to the menace of organized crime activities. Members of families and communities have to cope with the lethal impact of illicit drugs. Even in our own province we have seen serious and violent gang, gun and drug related criminal activity in Calgary and Edmonton. The effects 'creep' into our constituency. Our Conservative government remains committed to providing tough laws to make our streets and communities more secure by going after the criminals. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or previous columns you may write to me at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, toll-free 1-800-665-4358, fax 780-608-4603 or e-mail --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom