Pubdate: Thu, 20 May 2010
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2010 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/letters.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Janice Tibbetts, Canwest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

LIBERALS RETHINK MANDATORY DRUG TIME

Continued Support for Controversial Bill Not 'A Sure Bet,' MP Says

(CNS) 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 
incarceration 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 to give 
offenders a two-for-one credit to compensate for time spent in 
presentence custody, will cost about $2 billion over five years.

The drug-sentencing bill easily cleared the Commons despite being 
lambasted by 13 of the 16 witnesses who appeared before the justice 
committee during public hearings this spring.

Several opponents warned that the proposed legislation would fill 
jails with addicts and young people rather than drug kingpins, who 
would continue to thrive while small-time dealers are knocked out of 
commission.

The Conservatives have defended their bill as a necessary tool to 
fight organized crime by sending the message that drug criminals will 
be treated harshly.

The proposed legislation would impose one-year mandatory jail time 
for marijuana dealing, when it is linked to organized crime or a 
weapon is involved.

The sentence would be increased to two years for dealing drugs such 
as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine to young people, or pushing 
drugs near a school or other places frequented by youths.
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