February 06, 2008

OTTAWA – Bill C-2, the Conservative Governments’ Tackling Violent Crime legislation, passed third reading in the House of Commons on November 29, 2007, after just one month of debate.

Since that time, Bill C2 has been stalled, as Liberal Senators impose delay after delay. Even now, 69 days after going to the Senate for approval, Bill C2 is not even close to being passed.

“It’s simply frustrating,” said Lauzon. “We know what Canadians want and need to help tackle crime in this country. We put a plan forward and we need it passed. Enough is enough.”

If passed, Bill C-3 would:

• Raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 years of age;
• Impose mandatory minimum sentences for violent gun crimes, ending house arrest for such offences;
• Ensure that individuals charged with driving under the influences of drugs are held accountable for their actions and;
• Allow for repeat violent offenders to be more easily subjected to a ‘Dangerous Offender’ label that would keep them behind bars.
  

“It just seems so simple to me,” said Lauzon. “I cannot understand why the Liberals continue to delay this bill. Whose interests are they looking out for? The only winners here are the criminals who continue to take advantage of what has increasingly become a revolving door justice system.”

Lauzon continued, “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’s 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 simply wrong.