Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2009 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/sRKlJFsP Website: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Guy Lauzon Liberals Obstruct New Justice Legislation Too many Canadian families continue to live in fear of serious and violent crimes. Today in Canada, homicide, aggravated assault and drug crimes remain on the rise. This trend is likely an indication of an increase in gangs and organized criminal activities, which further fuel other serious crime activity, such as homicide and assault. We also know that drugs, and especially marijuana, are fuelling this increase in gang-related violence. As Conservatives, we take the safety and security of families seriously. Since taking office we have brought in tough new measures to tackle violent crime. Recently we introduced legislation in the House of Commons that will impose tough new penalties for criminals that sell drugs to children. Our government introduced legislation that would impose mandatory penalties on drug pushers, drug traffickers and drug producers. Our law would crack down on growops and meth labs, and provide severe penalties for the dealers and gangs who threaten the safety of our communities.There is only one reason why Canadian families are not protected by these tougher drug laws today - the obstruction of the Liberal Party. Michael Ignatieff and his Liberal colleagues are preventing this legislation from passing. This is the sad soft-on-crime Liberal pattern. They pretend to support getting tough on crime when the cameras are on, but behind closed doors they hold up our legislation any way they can. While the Liberals turn a blind eye to drug crime and play politics with the safety of Canadian families, only our Government is prepared to do what it takes to keep law-abiding families safe. In June, by a 38-33 vote, Michael Ignatieff's Liberals voted to delay crucial Conservative legislation (Bill C-15) that would crack down on drug crime and on the criminal gangs that profit from illegal drugs. The Ignatieff Liberals also voted to block a vital law that would crack down on auto theft (Bill C-26). Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals continue to use the Senate to oppose and obstruct the tough new laws. The Liberals are using unelected Senators to block the will of the House of Commons and to ignore the needs of law-abiding Canadians. Enough is enough. We cannot let Michael Ignatieff and Liberal Party use the unelected Senate to stop legislation that is urgently needed to protect the safety and security of Canadians. The United Nations has warned that Canada is becoming a hub for illegal drug shipments. This is a serious issue that should have all Canadians concerned. Our Government has long recognized this threat. That is why we have brought forward legislation to give the courts and law-enforcement new tools to fight drug crime, and to ensure convicted gangsters and drug pushers are held accountable for their crimes. Only one thing stands in the way of this legislation becoming law -the obstructionism of the Michael Ignatieff Liberals. Guy Lauzon, M. P. Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr