Rebalancing the Scales of Justice
February 28, 2007
Community Article – February 2007 For too long, Canada’s justice system has failed to adequately protect law-abiding citizens and to effectively punish criminals. The system has focused on “reforming” criminals at the expense of victims’ rights.
Fortunately, we have a new government that is committed to ensuring that Canadians feel secure in their homes and on their streets. With a series of important pieces of legislation introduced over the past year, it is clear that criminal behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
Criminals accused of serious crimes involving guns have found it far too easy to get out on bail. The government’s bail reform package will change this. Those charged with serious crimes involving guns will now have to demonstrate to the courts why they should not stay in jail until their trial.
The government tabled legislation that will impose stricter conditions on repeat offenders in order to keep them from offending again. Offenders convicted of a third violent or sexual offence will now have to prove that they should not be declared dangerous offenders. Those who fail to do so will be subject to an indeterminate jail sentence, with no eligibility for parole for seven years.
Both of these Bills free the courts from having to prove that a criminal should be treated more severely. Instead, the onus is now on criminals to prove why they should receive more lenient treatment.
The government is also making other changes to toughen up Canada’s justice system. For example, it will increase the mandatory minimum penalties for gun crimes, ban house arrest for serious offences, raise the age of protection to protect young Canadians from sexual predators, and crack down on street racing.
The bottom line? This government is taking decisive action that will rebalance the scales of justice in favour of the safety of hardworking, law-abiding Canadians like you.
What do you think?