Pubdate: Sat, 11 Feb 2012
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Windsor Star
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/PTv2GKdw
Website: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

TORY CRIME BILL

Passing the Buck

The Harper government has deftly taken the credit for its new 
tough-on-crime legislation and then just as defty -- but unfairly -- 
pushed a large chunk of the costs onto the backs of the provinces.

For example, Ontario now estimates Ottawa's Safe Streets and 
Communities Act will cost provincial taxpayers more than $1 billion 
in increased correctional services. Ottawa's bill -- $78.6 million 
over five years -- pales in comparison to the cost that will be 
passed on to Ontario and the other provinces.

Ontario Correctional Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says that 
based on projections for sentencing provisions, Bill C-10 is expected 
to significantly increase the number of inmates and the time that's 
spent behind bars.

Bill C-10 creates new mandatory minimum sentences, increases maximum 
sentences for some crimes, limits the use of conditional sentences 
such as house arrest and makes it harder to get bail and a pardon.

Meilleur says there is a very real possibility Ontario will have to 
build another 1,000-bed jail with a price tag of $900 million and an 
annual operating cost of $60 million. There are already about 8,500 
inmates in Ontario's correctional facilities, which are at 95 per 
cent capacity.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson has brushed aside Ontario's 
concerns and said the public overwhelmingly supports the government's approach.

"Canadians deserve to feel safe in their homes and that means that 
violent criminals need to be off our streets," Nicholson said.

There are obviously measures in the omnibus crime bill -- nine pieces 
of legislation that includes measures to assist victims of terrorism, 
prevent the exploitation of vulnerable immigrants, get tough on 
repeat young offenders and extend mandatory minimum sentences -- that 
will help victims and send out a much-needed message to offenders.

But critics argue, with some justification, that the blanket approach 
to more prison time -- even throwing someone in jail for six months 
for growing as few as six marijuana plants -- isn't going make 
streets safer. It will, however, require billions of new dollars for 
prison space.

And while there are ongoing problems with sentencing, crime isn't out 
of control in Canada. In fact, Statistic Canada just reported that 
"The national crime rate has been falling steadily for the past 20 
years and is now at its lowest level since 1973."

Statscan said that Canadian police services reported nearly 2.1 
million Criminal Code incidents in 2010, about 77,000 fewer than in 2009.

 From Ontario's standpoint, Meilleur says the province will "be 
calling on the federal government to provide funding to cover their 
$1-billion piece of legislation for Ontario. We're looking for them 
to come out with the money." It's the right approach.

Ottawa knows full well that Ontario and all the provinces, just like 
the federal government, are trying to find inefficiencies and save 
money. The Safe Streets bill -- which could become law next month -- 
has been constructed without proper input from the provinces about 
who is going to end up paying most of the bills.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom