CRIME IS AT TOP OF AGENDA

Stricter sentences for dangerous and long-term offenders, including
sex offenders, non-returnable warrants, cyber-crime and crystal
methamphetamine are issues of vital importance to B.C. that deserve
national attention and a co-ordinated response, said John Les, B.C.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Les met with his counterparts from across the country this week for
the first federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers under
the new federal government.

"I'm encouraged by Ottawa's willingness to discuss changes to the
criminal law that will keep sex offenders off our streets," said Les.

"And I look forward to working with colleagues across the country on
the issue of non-returnable warrants that allow criminals to evade
arrest by fleeing to another province not covered by the warrant."

Police data shows that the number of criminals with a history of
warrants from other jurisdictions is on the rise in B.C.

B.C. recently boosted its line of defence against cybercrime with the
addition of 10 more police officers to an integrated policing unit
that fights Internet child pornography, hacking, and identity theft.

The province will work with the federal government to increase
sentences for child luring and require mandatory reporting of child
pornography by Internet service providers.

Other discussion items on the agenda include combating the production
and use of crystal methamphetamine.

While crystal meth is a growing problem across the country, B.C. is
recognized as having the unique problem of trying to stem the bulk
importation of chemicals used to make the illicit drug.

"Meth production in B.C. is big business for organized crime," said Les.

"We need the federal government's help to stop the flow of large
amounts of precursor chemicals across our borders and through our ports."

Two years ago, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to
announce an integrated crystal meth strategy.