NEW LAWS TACKLING VIOLENT CRIME COME INTO EFFECT

All Canadians deserve to live in safe neighbourhoods. In recent years
the public's attention has focused on the rising scourge of gang, gun
and drug violence that paralyzes too many neighbourhoods.

These problems are very real and deserve real action. As of May 1,
three new laws from the government's Tackling Violent Crime Act went
into effect. The age of sexual consent has been officially increased
from 14 to 16. Individuals charged with gun crimes will find it much
more difficult to get bail and criminals who are convicted of gun
offences will face stiff mandatory minimum sentences that will keep
them behind bars and off the streets.

For parents worried about sexual predators and families worried about
rising gang and gun violence, this good news is long overdue. But
there are other people threatening the safety of Canadian
neighbourhoods and that is why our government is cracking down on
other kinds of criminals as well.

Impaired drivers, whether you are drunk or stoned, pose a threat to
innocent people. The government has put in place tough new laws that
make it easier to catch drug-impaired drivers and hold them
accountable for their actions.

Identity thieves were getting off free, as Canada's laws were out of
date. The government is modernizing Canada's identity theft laws to
make these con artists easier to catch and convict.

Drug dealers now face tough new drug crime laws. We are ensuring that
those who produce or sell illegal drugs face mandatory jail time. We
are also investing in more police so that grow-ops, meth-labs and
other drug producers will be busted before they do more harm.

It is more important than ever that Canada's government takes real
leadership, avoids partisan shenanigans and continues to deliver the
tough new laws that Canadians need and deserve. There is still a lot
of work to do, but I am proud of the progress we have made so far and
Canadians can count on even safer neighbourhoods in the future.

Until next time ...