HARPER TO TALK LAW AND ORDER ON VANCOUVER VISIT

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make an announcement on
his government's tough law-and-order agenda at RCMP headquarters in
Vancouver today.

The Harper government, which hopes to win back seats in British
Columbia by appealing to voters upset about crime, wouldn't provide
any details on today's initiative.

But the party has already made clear it plans on getting tough in
several criminal justice areas that have been particularly
controversial in B.C., such as street racing.

The late Independent MP Chuck Cadman tried unsuccessfully to push
through a private member's bill on street racing.

Before the 2006 election the Liberals promised to bring forward a
similar bill in Cadman's honour, but his widow, Dona, said that
legislation was too weak.

Justice Minister Vic Toews, who is also in B.C. this week, made clear
at a recent parliamentary committee hearing that street racing is near
the top of his agenda.

"Through criminal justice reform, we will send a strong message that
racing will no longer be tolerated on Canadian streets."

He said there have been "tragic" consequences across the
country.

Harper is certain to draw attention today to his government's recent
$1-billion commitment over two years on a number of policing, security
and anti-crime measures.

The Tory government plans to use some of that money to hire 1,000 more
police officers.

Critics, meanwhile, say crime rates are in fact not soaring in most
areas and that Harper is simply exploiting public fear for political
reasons.

Harper will be in Victoria Friday, speaking at a Greater Victoria
Chamber of Commerce event at The Empress.