A Conservative government would undertake a sweeping series of reforms aimed at toughening Canada's justice system, starting with imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms of between five and 10 years for people convicted of major firearms offences, Stephen Harper said today.
"We should be able to walk freely on our streets," he said, according to a news release on the Conservative party Web site.
"We should feel safe in our neighbourhoods. We should live without fear in our cities.
"We should not view these as luxuries, but our rights as Canadians -- as fundamental characteristics of the Canadian way of life, on which we will not compromise."
The five-year, $500-million initiative also proposes to end house arrest -- or conditional sentences -- for violent crimes, sexual offences, weapons crimes, and impaired driving causing death, among other things.
He said a Conservative government would also end statutory release, which allows prisoners to be granted parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence. In its place, offenders would be required to earn their parole through good behaviour or rehabilitaion.
The news release said the key points of the Tory plan are:
Mandatory minimum prison sentences of five or 10 years for major firearms offences, including five years for possession of a loaded restricted or prohibited weapon such as a handgun, and an end to revolving door bail and parole policies.
Filling more than 1,000 unfilled RCMP positions and working with provinces and municipalities to hire at least 2,500 more police officers across the country.
Measures to crack down on firearms smuggling and toughen security at Canada's border crossings, including giving our customs agents the support and equipment they need to do their job.
Investing $50 million over five years in programs to promote crime prevention and assist youth at risk.
"The revolving door of criminal justice of this current government bears significant responsibility for the tide of gun, drug and gang crime plaguing our cities," Mr. Harper said as he campaigned at the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto, just metres from where a 15-year-old girl was killed by gunfire on Boxing Day.
"Some suggested immediately that the Boxing Day shooters themselves were the victims of social exclusion, even as they were last seen leaving the scene in a BMW," Mr. Harper said.
However, while special efforts must be made to help at-risk youth, "social exclusion does not excuse turning Yonge Street into a shooting gallery," he said.
Yesterday, one of the men accused in connection with the shooting made an appearance in a Toronto court.
Andre Thompson, 20, appeared briefly at Old City Hall. His bail hearing was adjourned until Jan. 12.
Afterward, his lawyer, Robert Chartier, spoke to the news media.
"It's too early to talk about this case and the details of the case. However, Mr. Thompson does want everyone to know that he does profess his innocence and he's anxious to have this matter go to trial," Mr. Chartier said.
Mr. Thompson and a 17-year-old face seven gun-related charges. They were arrested together at Castle Frank subway station a short time after two groups fired at one another on Yonge Street on Boxing Day, killing 15-year-old Jane Creba and wounding six others.
Neither man has been charged with her killing. Police are still awaiting results of forensic tests that will determine whether the bullet that killed Ms. Creba came from a 9 mm handgun seized shortly after the shooting.
The Canadian Professional Police Association embraced almost all of the Tory platform today, saying it responds to pleas police have been making for years. But the non-partisan group stopped short of a political endorsement.
Tony Cannavino, president of the police association, said tougher sentences for violent criminals, restrictions on bail and stricter parole rules will be welcomed by the 54,000 rank-and-file cops he represents.
"The message that they are going to be sending is: 'The party's over'," he said.
The father of one of four RCMP officers shot and killed in Mayerthorpe, Alta., last spring was at Harper's announcement today and said he too supports the plan.
"Changes have to take place," said Don Schiemann, a Lutheran minister, whose son Peter was among the victims.
He described the proposals as a "very, very effective start," but would like to see them go further, including improved sentencing guidelines for judges.
The Globe and Mail seems to forget to aid that Harper wants to increase the age of consent, but try 14 year old children as adults. A very American thing to do.
"We should be able to walk freely on our streets," he said, according to a news release on the Conservative party Web site.
"We should feel safe in our neighbourhoods. We should live without fear in our cities.
"We should not view these as luxuries, but our rights as Canadians -- as fundamental characteristics of the Canadian way of life, on which we will not compromise."
The five-year, $500-million initiative also proposes to end house arrest -- or conditional sentences -- for violent crimes, sexual offences, weapons crimes, and impaired driving causing death, among other things.
He said a Conservative government would also end statutory release, which allows prisoners to be granted parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence. In its place, offenders would be required to earn their parole through good behaviour or rehabilitaion.
The news release said the key points of the Tory plan are:
Mandatory minimum prison sentences of five or 10 years for major firearms offences, including five years for possession of a loaded restricted or prohibited weapon such as a handgun, and an end to revolving door bail and parole policies.
Filling more than 1,000 unfilled RCMP positions and working with provinces and municipalities to hire at least 2,500 more police officers across the country.
Measures to crack down on firearms smuggling and toughen security at Canada's border crossings, including giving our customs agents the support and equipment they need to do their job.
Investing $50 million over five years in programs to promote crime prevention and assist youth at risk.
"The revolving door of criminal justice of this current government bears significant responsibility for the tide of gun, drug and gang crime plaguing our cities," Mr. Harper said as he campaigned at the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto, just metres from where a 15-year-old girl was killed by gunfire on Boxing Day.
"Some suggested immediately that the Boxing Day shooters themselves were the victims of social exclusion, even as they were last seen leaving the scene in a BMW," Mr. Harper said.
However, while special efforts must be made to help at-risk youth, "social exclusion does not excuse turning Yonge Street into a shooting gallery," he said.
Yesterday, one of the men accused in connection with the shooting made an appearance in a Toronto court.
Andre Thompson, 20, appeared briefly at Old City Hall. His bail hearing was adjourned until Jan. 12.
Afterward, his lawyer, Robert Chartier, spoke to the news media.
"It's too early to talk about this case and the details of the case. However, Mr. Thompson does want everyone to know that he does profess his innocence and he's anxious to have this matter go to trial," Mr. Chartier said.
Mr. Thompson and a 17-year-old face seven gun-related charges. They were arrested together at Castle Frank subway station a short time after two groups fired at one another on Yonge Street on Boxing Day, killing 15-year-old Jane Creba and wounding six others.
Neither man has been charged with her killing. Police are still awaiting results of forensic tests that will determine whether the bullet that killed Ms. Creba came from a 9 mm handgun seized shortly after the shooting.
The Canadian Professional Police Association embraced almost all of the Tory platform today, saying it responds to pleas police have been making for years. But the non-partisan group stopped short of a political endorsement.
Tony Cannavino, president of the police association, said tougher sentences for violent criminals, restrictions on bail and stricter parole rules will be welcomed by the 54,000 rank-and-file cops he represents.
"The message that they are going to be sending is: 'The party's over'," he said.
The father of one of four RCMP officers shot and killed in Mayerthorpe, Alta., last spring was at Harper's announcement today and said he too supports the plan.
"Changes have to take place," said Don Schiemann, a Lutheran minister, whose son Peter was among the victims.
He described the proposals as a "very, very effective start," but would like to see them go further, including improved sentencing guidelines for judges.
The Globe and Mail seems to forget to aid that Harper wants to increase the age of consent, but try 14 year old children as adults. A very American thing to do.
