GETTING TOUGH ON CRIMINALS IN CANADA

Hard-working Canadians in our constituency, focusing on the challenges
their families face during the global economic crisis, have been
distracted by recent examples of extreme gang violence in British
Columbia. This has come as a stark reminder that the safety of our
communities requires constant vigilance.

During my years serving as an official opposition critic for the
justice, public safety and Solicitor General portfolios, I asked many
questions in the House of Commons and in committees about the lax
attitude of the Liberals that, over more than a decade, allowed
Canada's justice system to decline. Police forces were under funded.
Laws and punishments were outdated and did not fit the crimes being
committed.

Since forming government in 2006, our Conservative government has
tried to strengthen Canada's criminal justice system to better protect
and serve Canadian individuals and businesses. We delivered 1,500 new
RCMP officers and are working with the provinces and municipalities
towards hiring 2,500 new municipal police officers. We have already
passed laws providing mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes;
tougher laws to keep gun criminals off the streets and tougher
sentences for repeat violent offenders. Many of you will recall the
long battle we had with the Liberals to pass our Tackling Violent
Crime Act that became law early last year.

New tools

Our Government continues to introduce new tools to fight street gangs
and other forms of organized crime. Bill 14, an act to amend the
Criminal Code (organized crime and protection of justice system
participants) targets gang violence and other serious crime. It will
provide law enforcement officials and the justice system with better
means to address organized crime-related activities, in particular
gang murders and drive-by shootings.

If passed by Parliament, our proposals will make murders connected to
organized crime activity automatically first-degree; create a new
offence to address drive-by and other reckless shootings; and, create
two new offences of aggravated assault against a peace or public
officer and assault with a weapon on a peace or public officer. Each
of these measures includes longer incarceration times.

Bill C-15 proposes amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act and would impose mandatory jail time for producing and selling
illegal drugs. This Bill allows us to fight back by targeting the drug
crimes committed by gangs and organized crime. We are establishing
special penalties when offences are carried out for organized crime
purposes or if they target youth. At the same time, Bill C-15 allows a
Drug Treatment Court to suspend a sentence while the addicted accused
person takes an approved treatment program. If the person successfully
completes the program, the court normally imposes a suspended or
reduced sentence. These courts include a blend of judicial
supervision, incentives for reduced drug use, social services support
and sanctions for non-compliance.

Not immune

No part of our society is immune to the menace of organized crime
activities. Members of families and communities have to cope with the
lethal impact of illicit drugs. Even in our own province we have seen
serious and violent gang, gun and drug related criminal activity in
Calgary and Edmonton. The effects 'creep' into our constituency. Our
Conservative government remains committed to providing tough laws to
make our streets and communities more secure by going after the criminals.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or previous
columns you may write to me at 4945-50th St. Camrose, AB, T4V 1P9,
call 780-608-4600, toll-free 1-800-665-4358, fax 780-608-4603 or
e-mail sorenk1@parl.gc.ca

Kevin Sorenson

MP, Crowfoot