Pubdate: Wed, 14 Sep 2005
Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Freelancer
Contact:  http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MP WELCOMES CRIME TASKFORCE

The Liberal Approach To Combating Crime Isn't Working

Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield welcomed the announcement by Conservative
Party Leader Stephen Harper of the formation of a Task Force on Safe
Streets and Healthy Communities. The Task Force will travel across
Canada meeting with a broad cross-section of people including victims
of crime, frontline law enforcement officers, and community workers.
Its goal will be to gain a better understanding of the emerging crime
issues facing our nation.

"Clearly, the Liberal approach to combating crime isn't working," said
Merrifield. "We're seeing this in the big cities and we're seeing it
here in rural Alberta. Illegal drug use and production is spreading,
but convicted traffickers routinely serve little or no jail time. The
Liberal gun registry has wasted over a billion dollars and not made
our streets any safer because criminals don't register guns."

Though a recent Statistics Canada report showed a one per cent
decrease last year in the overall crime rate, Canada's homicide rate
jumped twelve per cent in 2004. The overall crime rate has not seen a
marked decrease since the Liberals have been in power.

"The people of Yellowhead know only too well the face of violent
crime. Our communities are being threatened by the menace of crystal
meth and the spread of marijuana grow-ops. These problems call for
solutions that work. That's what this task force is about," said Merrifield.

"As the Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, I've been fighting back,"
said Merrifield. Last year, Merrifield tabled a private members bill,
Bill C-349, which would allow the police to lay charges for the
possession of crystal meth precursor ingredients. "The Liberals
recently announced plans to implement the changes called for in my
bill. But more needs to be done. I am also working on a private
members bill which would set out mandatory minimum sentences for
traffickers of crystal meth and other hard drugs."

"The Conservative Party is showing national leadership on criminal
justice issues," said Merrifield. "We have a strong criminal justice
platform, and we want to be even more prepared to deal with crime when
we form the next government. We are committed to improving Canadians'
sense of security, whether in their homes, on the streets or in their
communities."
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