MP AVOIDS CRIME BILL PUBLIC FORUM

A crowd of about 100 people turned out in Kelowna Wednesday night to
voice their opposition to the federal government's omnibus crime bill.

But it was not just the Conservative's plan to get tough on crime that
came in for criticism. Kelowna-Lake Country Tory MP Ron Cannan -- a
conspicuous no-show -- was also targeted by the clearly anti-crime
bill crowd.

Several audience members expressed anger that Cannan refused to show
up to defend the government's plan, a bill that combines nine
previously unsuccessful separate crime-related bills into one. The
Tories could not get them passed through the House of Commons because
it did not have a majority.

"Where is Ron Cannan?" demanded one woman. "He is paid by us
(taxpayers). Why is he not here?"

Organizers said they invited Cannan but he refused to participate,
saying the issue was now in the hands of the Senate following approval
by a majority of MPs.

But one of the speakers, Islam Mohammed, president of the federal
Liberal riding association Kelowna-Lake Country, said putting pressure
on the local MP would do no good.

"Nothing we can say will get him to vote against his party, spark out
against his party or ask a hard question," said Mohammed,

He said targeting Cannan with protests against the bill would be "a
wasted effort."

"He's not an opinion leader," said Mohammed. "His opinions are
directed (by the Prime Minister's Office). He is just following his
leader."

Gilbert Hobart, who said he got the idea to hold the public meeting
after talking to Cannan and expressing his concern about the inclusion
of mandatory minimum sentences, said organizers tried to get someone
else to speak in support of the proposed legislation but
Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas and local RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon
declined to participate.

The audience heard from representatives of the federal Liberals,
Greens, and NDP , as well as the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, the
John Howard Society and an academic, all of whom said the bills are
being driven by political ideology, no proof backed up by academic
research that the measure work.

In fact, according to the speakers, similar moves in the U.S are now
being repealed because they have been found ineffective.

"Even the folks in Texas are saying 'slow down partner,'" said
Mohammed.

Michael Vonn, a lawyer with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association said
the new bill, which would impose more use of mandatory minimum
sentences, make pardons harder to get and more expensive, treat
someone convicted of a minor crime much more harshly and result in
more prisons being built, said it will tie judges hands and thwart the
aim of the justice system which is to have consider individual cases
based on the evidence and circumstance related to those individual
cases.

"A cookie-cutter approach does not work," she said.

Other concerns expressed included the the impact the new measure will
haveon on aboriginal people charged with crimes, as well as others
with mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions and the homeless.

"What we need to do is look at the underlying causes of crime," said
Shelley Cook of the John Howard Society.

Julia Shaw, a PHD student who has written extensively about, and
researched the issue of, crime and punishment, said currently there is
no academic research to support the direction the Conservative
government is going.

The audience was urged to contact senators, especially those from
Quebec, because that province has been vocal in opposing the crime
bill.

Hobart said he hopes Wednesday's meeting will start an education
campaign about the bill and help locals speak out against it.