Pubdate: Thu, 20 May 2010
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2010 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/letters.html
Website: http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Janice Tibbetts, Canwest News Service

LIBERALS RETHINKING OKAY OF DRUG SENTENCING LAW

$2-Billion Cost; Proroguing Killed Mandatory Jail Bill

The opposition Liberals say they are rethinking their support for a 
federal bill on mandatory jail terms for drug crimes, after they 
voted with the Conservative government to pass the proposed 
legislation last year for fear of being labelled as soft on crime.

The drug-sentencing bill, which for the first time would impose 
prison terms of at least six months for growing six or more marijuana 
plants and one year or longer for selling drugs, died when Prime 
Minister Stephen Harper prorogued Parliament in December.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson resurrected his proposed legislation this month.

Liberal MP Brian Murphy, co-chair of the House of Commons justice 
committee, said the party's continued support for the widely 
criticized bill is not "a sure bet." He said the Liberals want more 
information about the effect that automatic jail terms for 
drug-related crimes would have on young people.

The party also questions whether the initiative is worth the 
anticipated cost of jailing more people for longer.

"Maybe there is an argument that the law, as written, is a little too 
harsh," said Murphy, chair of the Liberal caucus legislative 
committee, which is contemplating its strategy.

"As time goes by, there's a lingering doubt about whether this 
incarceration program of Rob Nicholson's works and whether the cost 
is worth it."

The drug bill sailed through the Commons in June 2009 after the 
Liberals teamed up with the Conservatives, despite grumbling within 
Grit ranks that they were being told to support a bad bill so they 
wouldn't be accused of being soft on crime. The Bloc Quebecois and 
NDP voted against the bill.

Mark Holland, the Liberal public safety critic, said he does not 
regret voting for the drug-sentencing bill last year, but added the 
opposition should go back to the drawing board in light of new 
revelations that another law-and-order initiative is expected to cost 
billions by imprisoning offenders for longer.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has acknowledged that the new Truth 
in Sentencing Act, which eliminates judicial discretion, will cost 
about $2 billion over five years.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart