I firmly believe that no matter where you live in Canada, you should be able to expect that it is safe for your kids to play outside, that drugs, gangs and illegal guns are kept out of your neighbourhood, and that dangerous offenders are always held accountable for their crimes.

It’s no secret that since day one, this government has been focused on getting tough on criminals. After years of Liberal inaction it’s time we put an end to our revolving door justice system. Finally, Canadians have a government that is standing up for them, rather than finding ways to defend criminals.

Recently, this Conservative Government introduced the Tacking Violent Crimes Act. This law sends a clear message to would be criminals, specifically, that actions have consequences and that this Government will always place the needs of average Canadian families, who play by the rules, first.

Through this law, criminals charged with serious gun crimes would face much stiffer criminal penalties, people charged with driving under the influences of drugs would be held accountable for their actions, and our children will be protected from sexual exploitation by raising the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16.

In addition, under this new law criminals convicted of repeated violent or sexual offences would be more easily subjected to a ‘Dangerous Offender’ label that will keep them behind bars, off our streets and away from our kids.

Protecting Canadians from violent crimes is far too important to be the subject of yet more Liberal political games. Unfortunately, in the past, Stéphane Dion and his Liberal colleagues have nonetheless used political tricks to try to block the passage of these badly needed new laws.

The biggest losers from such political tricks are the innocent victims of crime and the innocent people who are at risk of becoming victims of crime, should dangerous offenders be released back on the streets due to ineffective laws. They deserve better.

Canadians have a clear choice before them. Only one leader, Stephen Harper, is prepared to stand up for our children, our families, and our safety with real action to get serious on guns, violence and sexual crimes. In contrast, the Stéphane Dion Liberals have shown they are prepared to put politics ahead of public safety and, in doing so, leave innocent families unnecessarily at risk. This is wrong.

I could not be more proud to stand with Prime Minister Harper and show leadership on this issue.

Guy Lauzon, MP
Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry