CRIME LEGISLATION BASED ON IDEOLOGY

Re: Canadians want crime crackdown, by Rob Nicholson, Dec. 2.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's letter is nothing more than another
example of the Harper Conservatives pandering to base human instincts.

The Safe Streets and Communities Act is an ideologically based omnibus
bill that flies in the face of current statistics. The minister's
letter is disingenuous at best.

The bill before the house and passed because of the Conservative
majority does not differentiate between the accused who is mentally
challenged and those who are not. The proposed legislation has the
potential to create hardened criminals out of young people who make
the common mistake of experimenting with marijuana.

I am appalled at the Conservatives' shameless fearmongering in the
attempt to justify this legislation to the people of this country.
Yes, those found to be involved in child pornography, sexual abuse and
exploitation and a whole host of other serious crimes should be dealt
with swiftly and severely.

That being said, it is absolutely unacceptable for our government to
exploit people's fear and the countless victims' experiences to
justify legislation that is more far reaching than they are willing to
explain.

Transparency is seriously lacking with regard to the Conservatives'
conversation surrounding this piece of legislation.

Important legislation such as this should be based in logic and on
reliable statistics, not on a political party's ideology. If
Minister Nicholson wishes to address criminal behaviour in this
country, he should begin by being more honest and transparent when he
addresses the Canadian public.

TIM STEWART,

Windsor