SENATORS ACCUSED OF 'PLAYING GAMES' WITH JUSTICE BILLS

One day after drawing the ire of Conservatives for tinkering with
government justice legislation Liberal senators are now picking apart
another crime bill that cracks down on drug traffickers.

Political wrangling over the bills raged Thursday, with Justice
Minister Rob Nicholson fuming over proposed amendments and delays. He
called on Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to "show leadership" and
urge his caucus members from the red chamber to pass the bill.

"I've heard that again, they're playing games with this. These people
are soft on crime and this is a huge mistake," Nicholson said.

C-25, a bill that would end two-for-one credit for jail time served
before trial, passed with the support of all parties in the House of
Commons.

Liberal MP David McGuinty accused Nicholson of "fanning the flames"
and said Conservative senators passed up a chance to get the bill
passed immediately.

"What we are really now seeing is that the government is using crime
bills as a fear factor, as a scare tactic, as a wedge issue to try
and distinguish themselves from all of the parliamentarians," he said.

The Canadian Police Association said members are "dismayed and
concerned" by the senate committee's proposed amendments.

"We are astonished that members of this Senate committee would side
with the interests of convicted criminals and provide them with a
codified get-out-of-jail card," said Charles Momy, the CPA
president. "Releasing offenders into communities prematurely is a
recipe for failure and puts public safety at risk."

But Liberal Sen. George Baker made no apologies for the proposed
changes, insisting the role of the Senate is to scrutinize and
correct mistakes in government legislation.

"They make these errors because they are a political place. We are
supposed to be sober second thought," he said. "We go through it with
a fine tooth comb."

Baker also said there will likely be amendments to the drug bill,
which would knock off some prison time for offenders who go to
special treatment courts.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said unelected senators do not deserve to make
or change the laws of the land.

"This is an anachronism from two centuries ago," he said. "Any modern
democracy couldn't accept what's going on here right now and we don't
accept it. We think that the will of the House, the elected
representatives, should be respected here."

MPs scatter for their ridings today for a one-week break.