GETTING TOUGH ON CRIME

Bridgetown - Justice Minister Rob Nicholson plans to reintroduce his
get-tough-on-crime Bill C-15 to the Senate this spring.

Nicholson told reporters Monday there is a better chance of having the
bill passed as a result of the recent appointment of Bob Runciman and
others to the Senate.

Nicholson, as justice minister for the last three years, has
aggressively pushed for automatic incarceration for selling drugs,
growing marijuana, white-collar crime and offences involving guns.

Nicholson has repeatedly accused his political opponents of being soft
on crime for challenging his get-tough approach.

Most recently, he blasted the Senate when it "watered down" his bill
designed to impose automatic prison terms.

Nicholson traveled to Ridgetown for a roundtable discussion on
criminal justice issues with representatives of Zone Six Association
of Chiefs of Police.

The justice minister said he accepted the invitation from
Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP
Bev Shipley because they have been ardent supporters of his measures.

"I think B C-15 will have a better chance in the Senate in the next
go-round," he said.

He said the bill is aimed at crackdown down on drug dealers and
traffickers.

Nicholson said many of the drug problems found in the major urban
areas of Canada are now moving to rural areas because they offer more
privacy.

At the same time, Nicholson said there is an urgent need to update the
Criminal Code.

"It's very difficult to get changes made to the Criminal Code," he
said.

Nicholson, who hails from the Niagara Falls region, said he was
pleased with the turnout and the concerns expressed during the
roundtable discussion.

Equally pleased were Chatham-Kent Police Chief Dennis Poole and deputy
chief Clare Wiersma.

"Our government remains unwavering in our commitment to fighting crime
and protecting Canadians so that our communities are safe places for
people to live, raise their families and do business," said Nicholson.

He said the Harper government is eager to continue working in
partnership with the provinces and territories, with law enforcement
officials, and with the legal profession to ensure the justice system
is responsive to the needs of Canadians.

Van Kesteren said meetings such as the roundtable in Ridgetown are
important to the government to stay connected with issues that police
forces deal with daily.

"I was pleased to have the minister in the riding and appreciate
members of the association taking time to meet with us," he said.

Wiersma thanked Van Kesteren for meeting with the police association
recently to discuss plans to deal with the relatively few repeat
offenders that are responsible for much of the crime in the community.

"Dave listened to our concerns about inadequate sentences for these
career criminals and it's great that Nicholson accepted his request to
come and meet with us and other police leaders to discuss justice
issues," said Wiersma.

Poole said there is growing concern over the issue of prolific
offenders in Chatham-Kent. "It's a huge problem," he said. Wiersma
said prolific offenders

are people who have decided on a life of crime.

"They get caught and go to jail over and over again but it seems the
more times they are charged the shorter the sentences they receive,"
he said.

At the same time, Wiersma said the police service supports restorative
justice for first-time offenders.

"But we have to get tougher with repeat offenders," he said.