Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006
Source: Orangeville Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Orangeville Citizen
Contact:  http://www.citizen.on.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2529
Author: David Tilson
Note: David Tilson is a Member of Parliament from the Dufferin- 
Caledon riding.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

Ottawa Journal For the Week of April 10-14, 2006

THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON CRIME

In early April, Prime Minister Harper addressed the Canadian  
Professional Police Association. During his speech, Prime Minister  
Harper raised the increasing problem of crime across Canada. Drug and  
gun crimes, in particular, have risen, as well as the homicide rate.  
The new Conservative Government has pledged to take quick action to  
address these problems, to protect our Canadian way of life, and I  
would like to take this opportunity to share our plan with you.

Firstly, the new Government will hold criminals to account. This will  
be accomplished by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences  
for drug traffickers, weapons offences, repeat offenders, and crimes  
committed while on parole. In addition, the Government will end  
conditional sentences for serious crimes and replace statutory  
release with earned parole.

Secondly, the new Government is working with its partners in other  
levels of government, to ensure there are more police officers on the  
streets. This initiative is particularly important because many  
police forces are currently under-funded and under siege. The  
Government will also take action by re-investing savings from the  
long gun registry into front-line law enforcement and invest new  
federal money into criminal justice priorities, including youth-at- 
risk programs.

Thirdly, the new Conservative Government is opposed to legalizing  
drugs, especially because of the harm it inflicts on our cities and  
communities, due to increased addiction and crime. The Government's  
plan is to remove drugs from the streets and our children's hands, by  
ensuring mandatory minimum prison sentences and large fines are given  
to marijuana grow operators and drug dealers. The Government will  
also introduce a national drug strategy, which will include a  
nationwide awareness campaign to discourage youth addiction before it  
begins.

Finally, the new Government will be tough on sex offenders and those  
who prey on our children. This will be accomplished by creating an  
effective DNA bank of all convicted sex and dangerous offenders. The  
Government also intends to raise the age of consent for sexual  
relations between children and adults from 14 to 16 years of age.  
Additionally, a zero tolerance policy for all forms of child  
pornography will be enacted.

These measures are a necessary first step to take back our streets  
and communities. Canadians have told their elected representatives  
they want to be safe once again and want action now. By working  
together, this can and will be achieved.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl