CONSERVATIVES GETTING DUMB ON CRIME

The federal Liberals plan to shoot down a crime bill proposed by the
Conservatives that would include stiffer sentences for drug
possession and could also require tens of millions, even billions of
dollars, to build new prisons.

The Liberals also worry that Bill S-10 -- which has been passed by
the Senate and is now before the House of Commons -- would unfairly
target younger criminals, as it would carry the same mandatory
six-month sentence for possessing six marijuana plants as it would
for having 200.

"This bill isn't tough on crime, it's dumb on crime," said Liberal
leader Michael Ignatieff. "We're all in favour of cracking down on
serious criminals, but this bill doesn't distinguish between massive
grow-ops and a first-time offender with a small amount."

The Conservatives haven't actually said how much it would cost to
implement the bill, or build new prisons, or where they would be
constructed. But the bill is expected to put more people in jail,
despite what health professionals say: there is no evidence that
mandatory minimum sentences will reduce drug use or deter crime.

A group of 400 leading physicians and scientists has issued a
statement criticizing the legislation, claiming that it is not
scientifically grounded and that research demonstrates it may
contribute to health and social harms.

Crime rates in Canada have been declining in recent years, without such a bill.

Even in the U.S., a conservative group is arguing for more
responsible criminal justice spending. Why not here, where, according
to Health Canada, more than 40 per cent of Canadians have used
marijuana. Nearly half the country has disregarded the law on
marijuana use, so the Conservatives want to spend potentially
billions of dollars locking up those who grow it.

This whole discussion inevitably leads back to the issue of
prohibition and legalization, but what it's really about is getting
re-elected, not what makes sense.

Mr. Ignatieff is right. That is dumb.