CRIME BILL'S PASSAGE REMOVES ONE CONSERVATIVE CONFIDENCE ISSUE

Justice Minister Threatened Election If Senate Delayed Bill Past Saturday

Two out of three ain't bad for the federal Conservative government
which, two weeks ago, faced a possible defeat over three different issues.

But Royal Assent for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's Tackling
Violent Crime Act on Thursday resolved one of the confidence issues
whose defeat would bring down the minority government. "We were
prepared to go to the people on this," said Nicholson, the MP for
Niagara Falls.

He was frustrated by the Liberal-dominated Senate's refusal to pass
the legislation which had been fast-tracked through the House of
Commons last year.

Two weeks ago, Nicholson issued a March 1 deadline for the Senate to
pass it or risk triggering an election. The anti-crime law was so key
to Conservative agenda, if it didn't pass, Nicholson said he would
tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper they had lost the confidence of Parliament.

"It's a major part of what we promised Canadians on tackling violent
crime," Nicholson said. "Any attempt to sabotage or defeat this
legislation, we would consider it a confidence measure and let
Canadians decide."

With Nicholson's bill through and apparent agreement with the
Liberals over Canada's role in Afghanistan, this week's federal
budget is the remaining issue that could bring down Harper's government.

The Tackling Violent Crime Act was an omnibus bill made up of several
bills that weren't passed in the Harper government's first
legislative session in 2006. It creates tougher bail and sentencing
provisions for those who use guns to commit crimes, raises the age of
sexual consent to 16 years from 14, and helps police get tough on
impaired drivers.

With Thursday's political win behind him, Nicholson said he will push
a second round of justice legislation which will include mandatory
jail time for people who import drugs, sell drugs to children or work
in marijuana growing operations.

"I think we're sending a very clear message they can expect jail time
under our legislation," Nicholson said.

The next two weeks in Ottawa will be absorbed by budget votes, but
Nicholson said he could roll out his next bill in early April.