HAZY

Just what has Justice Minister Martin Cauchon been smoking lately?

Ever since he admitted being a marijuana user in the past, he's left a
trail of hazy, confusing proposals behind him.

A week ago Cauchon floated -- again -- the idea of decriminalizing pot. But
he stressed: "Canada has no plans to legalize marijuana."

Then he proposed a national review of the criminal justice system -- not a
bad idea, considering new polls show most Canadians think our courts aren't
tough enough on crime.

Sadly, Cauchon seems to be leaning in the opposite direction. As he told
the Canadian Bar Association, he'd like Canadians to consider whether we
lay too many criminal charges, overloading our system with minor crimes.

After that, he announced an investment of $8.9 million for youth crime in
Ontario -- not for police or victims but for groups that combat so-called
"root causes" of youth crime, ranging from family violence to hunger.

What to make of all this?

The justice minister may be new, but his approach is typically Liberal --
quick to embrace soft "alternative justice" ideas but queasy about the
tough stuff necessary to actual crimefighting. Same old, same old.

Then there are the tough questions. If pot is decriminalized, as even many
police think it should be, will Cauchon at least give cops the necessary
tools and powers to test motorists to ensure they're not driving while stoned?

Will resources diverted from "minor" crime go into fighting "major" crime?

Doubtful.

And if he has money for youth crime prevention -- which is all well and
good -- will he also find money for police and provinces to handle the
onerous responsibilities they face under the awful new Youth Criminal
Justice Act (which replaces the equally atrocious Young Offenders Act next
year)?

Among other things, the YCJA fails to treat assault, robbery and sex
assault as serious, violent crimes and will likely result in longer delays
and lighter sentences than the YOA.

If Cauchon is looking to rethink and review our laws, he should start with
that one -- eight years in the making and still a mess.

Otherwise, he's just blowing smoke.