Canada’s productivity, quality of life and security can only thrive if our population feels safe and protected.

The federal government has made great strides in the last year to introduce legislation that is tough on criminals. I join those Canadians who are shocked by newspaper headlines that scream about criminal acts going unpunished and violent criminals who are allowed to re-offend.

Let’s take a look at what the government is doing to take back our streets for law-abiding citizens.
Bill C-9 has been passed so judges will ensure that persons who commit serious violent offences serve their sentences in prison, rather than being told to just stay in their house and behave. These conditional sentences for serious personal injury offences that are punishable by 10 years or more in prison include sexual assault, terrorism offences, and organized crime activities.

Bill C-10 targets organized crime and gangs by proposing tougher mandatory penalties for persons convicted of serious offences involving firearms, particularly handguns. It would impose stricter sentences for attempted murder, robbery and extortion, as well as crimes that involve illegal firearm trafficking and smuggling.

At the same time, Bill C-35 proposes to ensure that persons who are charged with serious weapons offences will not roam the streets until their case is heard. This reverse onus system means the accused will have to demonstrate why they should be let out on bail before their trial. When this bill becomes law, the presumption that favours release on bail will no longer be automatic.

A new Bill C-22 shows the government’s commitment to better protect children against sexual exploitation from adult predators. It proposes to raise the age of consent for sexual activity from 14 to 16 years of age, and it includes a “close-in-age” exemption for youths who are less than five years older than a 14- or 15-year-old sexual partner. The age of protection for exploitive sexual activity will be maintained at 18 years of age. This means no young person can be used for sexual purposes in a relationship of trust, authority or dependency, or for prostitution or pornography.

The government also introduced Bill C-27, which is designed to prevent repeat offenders from committing crimes over and over. During sentencing, the Crown lawyers must ask the judge to identify criminals convicted of a third sexual or violent crime as a Dangerous Offender. This puts reverse onus on the offender to demonstrate that they don’t meet dangerous offender criteria.

We would also like to pass Bill C-32 to crack down on drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Suspect drivers would be required to take part in physical coordination testing and they can only challenge breath test result based on scientific evidence. Increased penalties for impaired driving would also become mandatory.

Bill C-19 was passed to create harsher penalties and jail time for serious street racing offences. It also increases the length of mandatory driving prohibitions for persons convicted of racing.

Bill C-18 would force persons who have been convicted of serious offences prior to June 30, 2000 to give a DNA sample to police for their permanent record. Prior to this legislation, criminals didn’t have to provide a DNA sample.

Bill C-26 sets out to ensure that the interest rates set by the payday lending companies can be properly regulated by the provinces and territories. Some of these companies have been charging huge interest rates and need to be reined in.

Bill C-48 solidifies Canada’s participation in the UN Convention Against Corruption. This is an international initiative to prevent corruption, which continues to threaten democracy the world over and our own security as a nation.

The last piece of legislation I’d like to mention is now being prepared to overhaul the Young Offenders Act. The ineffective legislation that is now in place is treated as a joke by juvenile offenders. We need a much more effective law to protect our communities from the actions of irresponsible youth. We plan to introduce the new bill in the fall, and I welcome your letters with comments and suggestions on this and any other federal matter – no postage is required.

There were many justice issues that needed attention when this government was elected on January 23, 2006. This is just a brief outline of some of the justice legislation. We have introduced many bills and more remains to be done. We look forward to working even harder to provide Canadians with the utmost in safety and comfort in their own backyard.

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