|
PUBLICATION:
EDMONTON SUN ------------------------------------------------------------------- Harper slams Grits on crime ------------------------------------------------------------------- SURREY, B.C. -- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said yesterday that his party would get tough on crimes like marijuana grow-ops, street racing and auto theft - issues he said the Liberal government has ignored. "Most of the time they don't even admit a problem exists," Harper said. "They point to selective statistics of crime going down." Harper's visit to British Columbia is part of a cross-Canada tour to meet police and victims of crime after the party unveiled a task force last month to examine crime rates their leader says are on the rise. Citing the failed gun registry, which he called a "boondoggle of epic proportions," Harper said the Liberals have only thrown money at issues without solving any problems. He said it's time
that mandatory sentences are enforced and that non-Canadians who commit
serious crimes are deported. Harper also criticized Justice Minister Irwin Colter's proposal Thursday to clamp down on street racing, an issue proposed in a private member's bill by MP Chuck Cadman, who died recently. "The Liberal party has never favoured this initiative nor has it ever favoured any tougher sentencing initiatives," Harper said. Harper called for an innovative approach to crime, such as British Columbia's bait car program, which has reduced car theft. The Conservatives plan to develop an urban violence strategy for the party's election platform. Canada's overall crime rate fell one per cent last year, while the national homicide rate increased 12 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. |