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Versions of this story also appeared in the following papers: Vancouver Sun: PM quick-draws plan to tighten gun law: Tory says Martin a come-lately on weapons crime - Page A4 National Post: Martin pledges cash, tougher laws to battle gun crime - Page A16 Ottawa Citizen: Liberals promise tougher gun, gang laws: Shooting precedes PM's remarks in tough Jane/Finch area - Page A4 Edmonton Journal: PM pledges $50 million to combat gun crime: 44 people killed in Toronto's culture of violence - Page A8 Montreal Gazette: Martin unveils crackdown on guns and violence: 'Gangsterism is taking our kids'; Liberals propose that mandatory jail terms be increased to curb crime linked to firearms - Page A11 Regina Leader Post: Ottawa gets tough on gun violence – Page A-3 Saskatoon Star Phoenix: Martin announces measures to curb gun, gang violence – Page B8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liberals promise tougher gun, gang laws: Shooting precedes PM's remarks in tough Jane/Finch area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TORONTO - Prime Minister Paul Martin swept into one of Toronto's meanest neighbourhoods yesterday to announce a law and order package to curb a recent scourge of gun and gang violence in Canada's largest city and other urban centres. "Gangsterism is taking our kids and illegal handguns are taking their lives," Mr. Martin said at a community centre in Toronto's notoriously rough Jane and Finch corridor. The Liberals propose to increase mandatory jail terms and provide $50 million over five years for community programs to prevent young people from pursuing a life of crime, he told reporters. Only hours before his announcement, there was another shooting north of the city, which has been plagued by gun violence that has claimed 44 lives so far this year. An 18-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder as he sat in a parked car outside a high school in Brampton, Ont. Mr. Martin said he was touched by the young children he met while touring some of the community facilities, but was bothered by the thought that the troubles in their community could pull them astray. "Surely to heaven these kids have got to be on their way to better lives," he said. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler fleshed out the Liberal plan in a telephone news conference in Whitehorse, wrapping up a meeting with his provincial counterparts. There will be new minimum penalties for firearms smuggling, trafficking and illegal possession of handguns in a public place, said Mr. Cotler, who wouldn't give particulars until his proposals clear the federal cabinet. It'll also become harder to get parole for violent firearms offences. And, there will be two new Criminal Code penalties for breaking and entering with intent to steal a firearm and robbery where a firearm is stolen. "I believe this legislation will be tabled by the end of the November," said Mr. Cotler, adding it's still possible for the new laws to pass before an anticipated winter election. Conservative justice critic Vic Toews accused Mr. Cotler of being late to embrace gun reform, having rebuffed past calls for tougher legislation on minimum mandatory jail terms for a wider variety of offences. "There has been plenty of time for this minister to act prior to the threat of an election call," said Mr. Toews. Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant, who led a provincial charge for stiffer penalties, said he's hopeful the federal government will act. "Parliament is going to be given an opportunity to send a message to the streets that if you're in the illegal gun trade, you're going to go to jail and you're going to go to jail for a long time," said Mr. Bryant. Among other things, he wants minimum jail terms for trafficking and importing illegal firearms quadrupled to four years from the current one year. There are already several mandatory minimum sentences in the Criminal Code for various crimes using firearms. But Mr. Cotler was under pressure from a handful of provincial justice ministers to expand the roster of crimes commanding automatic jail time to eliminate the possibility of judges being able to impose conditional sentences that allow offenders to serve time at home. There were 172 gun killings in Canada last year, representing 28 per cent of all homicides. ---------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT
FACTS FROM HOMICIDE IN CANADA 2004 REPORT |