BILL 50 WILL TARGET GANGS WHERE IT HURTS MOST - THEIR WEALTH

Calgary has experienced rapid growth over the past 10 years.
Unfortunately, along with the positive developments this expansion brings,
our city has been seeing more urban problems. One of the most critical
issues we must address as a government is the rise in gang violence over
the past several months.

The tension between rival gangs has risen to an unacceptable level in
which innocent Calgarians are paying the price. The New Year's Day murder
of Keni Su'a happened only blocks from my own residence, far away from the
downtown core.

Obviously, a new approach needs to be taken. Calgary police Chief Rick
Hanson did just that by doubling police resources to combat gang activity
and the Alberta government is aggressively pursuing action through the
Safe Communities Secretariat to address the root causes of crime from
prevention through to enforcement. This being said, all Calgarians need to
know what all levels of government are doing to address this issue and
ensure our city remains a safe place.

Along this line, some discussion has recently focused on the Liberal
Opposition introducing legislation entitled "Bill 201" in the upcoming
sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Although I have not yet seen the bill
(nor has it been introduced in the House), I understand it attempts to
permit police officers to seize and sell the vehicles of those
transporting illegal firearms. The goal of this is admirable: giving
police innovative tools to disrupt the operations of gang warfare.

For some reason, however, the opposition failed to realize that Bill 50,
sponsored by our Minister of Justice, Alison Redford, gives the police
this power and more. Already implemented as law, this legislation allows
police to seize any piece of property --including a vehicle--that has been
acquired as a profit from a crime. In addition, this law also permits
police to detain any property that they believe has been used to or is
likely to be used to carry out a criminal act. This includes the seizure
of guns, drugs, cash, cars, and real estate--many of the elements behind
gang activity.

We must be vigilant in addressing gang activity before it grows any
further. Being soft or lenient clearly does not serve this purpose. We
must continue to fight the financial side of crime and Bill 50 represents
a clear step forward in this direction.

I ask Calgarians to remain vigilant and supportive of the trust you have
placed in all levels of government to effectively overcome the challenges
facing our community.

Jonathan Denis is the MLA for Calgary Egmont