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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom