NO SENSE IN CRIME STANCE

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 Bill S-10 - which was passed by the Senate and
is 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.

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

Last week, a group of 400 leading physicians and scientists criticized
the legislation, claiming it is not scientifically grounded and
research demonstrates it may contribute to health and social harms.

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

Housing a federal prisoner costs $88,000 a year, and with more of them
coming, Corrections plans to hire 5,000 new employees.

Even in the U.S., a conservative group is arguing for more responsible
spending on criminal justice.

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

Mr. Ignatieff is right. That is dumb.