Pubdate: Fri, 17 Feb 2012
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Matthew Gauk

PROTESTERS TARGET TORY'S TOUGH-ON-CRIME LEGISLATION

About 30 people march to court house from waterfront

Approximately 30 soggy protesters marched up to the courthouse from
Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo on Thursday afternoon to
protest the Tories' tough-on-crime omnibus legislation.

The group, largely composed of young people, opposed Bill C -10 for
reasons ranging from the costs associated with its enforcement to the
harsher outlook it would involve for those convicted of drug offences,
particularly as they relate to marijuana.

Bill C-10 brings together nine pieces of legislation that would, among
other things, establish mandatory prison sentences for drug-related
crimes and child sex offenders, increase some maximum sentences, limit
the use of conditional sentences such as house arrest and make it
harder to get bail and a pardon.

A number of those involved were members of the Occupy Nanaimo
movement, which had an encampment set up in Diana Krall Plaza until a
City of Nanaimo injunction forced them out late last year.

Mike Mccreight, 21, joined Occupy about halfway through its time in
the plaza and said he attended the rally because he wanted to help
educate the community about the issue "and not make it seem socially
taboo. "I believe the bill is going to (make) people come out of
incarceration in worse shape than they went in," he said. "I think
it's a quick fix ... it's the wrong way to take care of crime in Canada."

Mik Mann, a former candidate for provincial and federal marijuana
parties, also spoke at the courthouse. He questioned Justice Minister
Rob Nicholson's claims that the changes enacted by Bill C-10 would be
economically sustainable.

A report by a Quebec research group late last year suggested the
legislation would ultimately cost Canadians $19 billion.

"This crime bill is going to add horrendous costs, not just financial
costs but the fact it will break up families," Mann said in an earlier
interview, suggesting that sending a teenager to jail for six to eight
months for possessing marijuana plants causes undue worry and anguish
for his or her parents.

After clearing third reading in House of Commons in December, Bill
C-10 is poised to become law on March 16.

It is currently the subject of public hearings by the Standing Senate
Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
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MAP posted-by: Matt