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MP Report By Jay Hill, M.P.
Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: Tumbler Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Tumbler Ridge News
Contact: http://www.tumblerridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3600
Author: Jay Hill, M.P.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
MP REPORT BY JAY HILL, M.P.
Liberals Fear Drug Traffickers Won't Plead Guilty
If we needed any further proof that the federal Liberals have twisted
priorities, it came this week during debate on my private member's bill
that would help keep drugs away from schools.
Bill C-248 would impose mandatory sentences of one year or more for the
first offence and two years or more for a subsequent offense for those
convicted of drug trafficking within 500 metres of an elementary or high
school.
Conservative, New Democrat and Bloc Quebecois MPs indicated they support
advancing my bill to the Standing Committee on Justice for further study.
However, the federal Liberal Government said it doesn't like my
legislation. Why?
Well, MP Robert Thibault, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Health expressed concern on the government's behalf that adult drug
traffickers caught peddling drugs near a school may not plead guilty if
they know they'll face jail time.
Well heaven forbid Liberals and drug traffickers are forced to endure the
hassle of a criminal trial!
Our criminal justice system does not exist to cater to the convenience of
the government or drug dealers. It exists to protect the best interests of
our society and to punish and deter those who threaten our safety and
security. The Paul Martin Liberals are, once again, more concerned about
protecting criminals than protecting our children.
Bill C-248 is specifically designed to target those adults responsible for
getting drugs into our schools.
According to 1996-97 statistics, just 64 percent of drug traffickers served
any jail time. And the median sentence was just four months! The rest got
off lucky with either probation or a fine!
Mandatory prison time alone will not keep drugs out of schools, but it's
the type of legal backing from the federal government that teachers and
community workers need to complement ongoing drug education and awareness
programs.
Recent studies indicate that as many as 40 percent of students have used
drugs in the previous year. The use of cocaine, which had declined
throughout the eighties is on the rise once again. And nine percent of
Canadians aged 12-17 use cannabis daily.
If kids really want to buy drugs, they'll find them somewhere. That doesn't
mean we have to make it easy for them and it certainly doesn't mean it has
to be at school.
Mandatory jail time sends a very clear message about the dangers -- and the
consequences -- of drug-related activities. This is especially important in
light of the current debate over the decriminalization of marijuana
possession which is sending mixed-messages to teens about so-called "soft
drugs".
The Liberals also oppose Bill C-248 because, according to Mr. Thibault, it
doesn't address drug trafficking in skate parks, arenas and other areas
children frequent.
This is typical of the Liberals. They are prepared to do nothing simply
because this one particular piece of legislation doesn't offer a one-stop
solution. Why don't we at least start somewhere? Why don't we start by
jailing drug dealers who prey upon our children while they're at school?
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom