Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2012 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2012 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jim Bronskill TORIES REJECT AMENDMENTS TO CRIME BILL OTTAWA -- Opposition parties chastised the government Tuesday for rejecting a raft of proposed amendments to a sweeping federal justice bill they see as a big step backward. The omnibus bill has returned to the House of Commons from the Senate for final debate on some changes -- but only ones endorsed by the governing Conservatives. They would allow victims of terrorism to sue states that support political violence. The bill would also impose stiffer sentences for sexual offences against children, usher in mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes and toughen penalties for violent young offenders. In addition, it would end house arrest for many crimes and force people to wait longer for a criminal pardon. The Conservative majority is expected to allow the legislation easy passage on final reading. Opposition MPs point out the crime rate has been steadily falling. But Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said it's his duty to keep the criminal law up to date. "We need legislation that is responsive to what is happening on our streets and meets the expectations of Canadians in the 21st century," said Nicholson. "The proliferation of drugs and violent crime is unfortunately a reality in this day and age." Both the Liberals and the NDP take issue with many elements of the bill, saying it will put young offenders on the wrong track and impose unnecessarily stiff sentences for some crimes. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.