LIBERALS RETHINKING OKAY OF DRUG SENTENCING LAW

$2-Billion Cost; Proroguing Killed Mandatory Jail Bill

The opposition Liberals say they are rethinking their support for a
federal bill on mandatory jail terms for drug crimes, after they
voted with the Conservative government to pass the proposed
legislation last year for fear of being labelled as soft on crime.

The drug-sentencing bill, which for the first time would impose
prison terms of at least six months for growing six or more marijuana
plants and one year or longer for selling drugs, died when Prime
Minister Stephen Harper prorogued Parliament in December.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson resurrected his proposed legislation this month.

Liberal MP Brian Murphy, co-chair of the House of Commons justice
committee, said the party's continued support for the widely
criticized bill is not "a sure bet." He said the Liberals want more
information about the effect that automatic jail terms for
drug-related crimes would have on young people.

The party also questions whether the initiative is worth the
anticipated cost of jailing more people for longer.

"Maybe there is an argument that the law, as written, is a little too
harsh," said Murphy, chair of the Liberal caucus legislative
committee, which is contemplating its strategy.

"As time goes by, there's a lingering doubt about whether this
incarceration program of Rob Nicholson's works and whether the cost
is worth it."

The drug bill sailed through the Commons in June 2009 after the
Liberals teamed up with the Conservatives, despite grumbling within
Grit ranks that they were being told to support a bad bill so they
wouldn't be accused of being soft on crime. The Bloc Quebecois and
NDP voted against the bill.

Mark Holland, the Liberal public safety critic, said he does not
regret voting for the drug-sentencing bill last year, but added the
opposition should go back to the drawing board in light of new
revelations that another law-and-order initiative is expected to cost
billions by imprisoning offenders for longer.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has acknowledged that the new Truth
in Sentencing Act, which eliminates judicial discretion, will cost
about $2 billion over five years.