MACK TOUGH ON METH

Wants Drug Punishments On Par

Ottawa should raise the maximum sentence for producing or trafficking
crystal meth to life in prison, says Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh.
"We have to do what we can to put in place a legal regime so there are
serious consequences for those who destroy our communities and
Canadians with meth," he said yesterday.

It doesn't make sense that the maximum prison term for meth dealers
under the federal Criminal Code is 10 years, while those convicted of
selling cocaine and heroin can face life behind bars, said Mackintosh.

"That does not reflect the fact meth is at least as destructive to the
user and the community as those two other drugs," he said.

Mackintosh said this is one of several issues he will raise at the
annual conference of federal, provincial and territorial justice
ministers. It begins tomorrow in Ottawa and runs for three days.

Tory justice critic Kelvin Goertzen said it's hypocritical for
Mackintosh to demand harsher penalties for crystal meth pushers when
the NDP -- at least at the federal level -- supports more liberalized
drug laws.

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton has said he supports the legalization
of marijuana.

"It's a very mixed message he's sending right across the board,"
Goertzen said. "If you're going to get tough on drugs, you get tougher
on drugs consistently."

Five provinces -- including Manitoba -- will also push Ottawa this
week to eliminate conditional sentences for serious violent crimes,
Mackintosh said.

WILLING TO CO-OPERATE

The ministers have made similar calls before, but Mackintosh said this
time it's different because they're dealing with a federal minority
government that may be more willing to co-operate.

Goertzen it's fine to go to Ottawa, but Mackintosh should also be
instructing his Crown attorneys to seek tougher penalties.

Should life in prison be the maximum sentence for crystal meth
pushers?