Having shed the fetters of a minority government, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is promising to move quickly to implement the slate of Conservative law-and-order legislation that died when the election was called.
“The government of Canada has no more fundamental duty than to protect the personal safety of our citizens and defend against threats to our national security,” Governor-General David Johnston said in the Throne Speech on Friday.
“Our government,” he said, “will move quickly to reintroduce comprehensive law-and-order legislation to combat crime and terrorism.”
There were at least 10 bills addressing justice and public-safety issues the Conservatives had introduced but not managed to pass into law before government fell in late March.
Mr. Harper promised during the election campaign they would come back as a single piece of omnibus legislation that would become law within 100 sitting days of Parliament.
It is unknown which of the bills will be included. They are a varied lot with wide-ranging ambitions. One would impose mandatory minimum sentences for a slate of drug crimes. One would prevent judges from imposing house arrest for a number of serious property and personal crimes. Three would increase the ability of police to conduct electronic surveillance.
Some are controversial for the increased number of people they would put behind bars at a time when crime rates are dropping.
But the Throne Speech indicated the government is keen to build further on its law-and-order agenda.
“Our government will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society and work to prevent crime,” Mr. Johnston said. “It will propose tougher sentences for those who abuse seniors and will help at-risk youth avoid gangs and criminal activity. It will address the problem of violence against women and girls.”
The omnibus bill will likely come first.
Full Article
Source: Globe & Mail
“The government of Canada has no more fundamental duty than to protect the personal safety of our citizens and defend against threats to our national security,” Governor-General David Johnston said in the Throne Speech on Friday.
“Our government,” he said, “will move quickly to reintroduce comprehensive law-and-order legislation to combat crime and terrorism.”
There were at least 10 bills addressing justice and public-safety issues the Conservatives had introduced but not managed to pass into law before government fell in late March.
Mr. Harper promised during the election campaign they would come back as a single piece of omnibus legislation that would become law within 100 sitting days of Parliament.
It is unknown which of the bills will be included. They are a varied lot with wide-ranging ambitions. One would impose mandatory minimum sentences for a slate of drug crimes. One would prevent judges from imposing house arrest for a number of serious property and personal crimes. Three would increase the ability of police to conduct electronic surveillance.
Some are controversial for the increased number of people they would put behind bars at a time when crime rates are dropping.
But the Throne Speech indicated the government is keen to build further on its law-and-order agenda.
“Our government will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society and work to prevent crime,” Mr. Johnston said. “It will propose tougher sentences for those who abuse seniors and will help at-risk youth avoid gangs and criminal activity. It will address the problem of violence against women and girls.”
The omnibus bill will likely come first.
Full Article
Source: Globe & Mail
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