medpot
02-19-2010, 10:08 AM
Northumberland News (http://www.northumberlandnews.com/news/article/148671)
Letters to the Editor: dirwin@northumberlandnews.com
Cobourg roundtable discussions examines justice system
Conservatives tough on crime: Minister of Justice
Feb 19, 2010 - 04:29 AM
By Jeanne Beneteau
COBOURG -- It’s not every day area police services and community representatives can air their concerns and hopes for Canada’s criminal justice system with the country’s top elected official within the justice portfolio, said Cobourg’s police chief.
Chief Paul Sweet, and representatives from the Port Hope Police Service and Northumberland OPP, along with community stakeholders met with Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Northumberland-Quinte West MP Rick Norlock at the Cobourg police station, on Feb. 17. The roundtable discussion provided Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Norlock an opportunity to share the federal government’s plans to tighten up the Criminal Code and help make it easier for police to intercept criminals who use the Internet to perpetuate their illegal activities.
“A small session like this, talking with the Minister of Justice,” is a unique opportunity to discuss the tools officers need to keep communities, Chief Sweet said.
Mr. Nicholson said Bill C-46 and Bill C-47 are pending legislations designed to make it easier for police to do their jobs. Bill C-46 will equip law enforcement agencies with new investigative tools adapted to computer crimes, and Bill C-47 will require telecommunications service providers to have technology in place to enable police services to carry out lawful interceptions on their networks. Both are much-needed technical changes to the Criminal Code, said Mr. Nicholson.
“The Criminal Code is out-of-date, stuck in 1955 technology,” he said.
Chief Sweet agreed, noting these changes will give police a bigger stick to tackle online crime, including child porn.
The way people communicate has changed dramatically, it’s not just the phone anymore and police services must be able to keep up with rapidly-changing technologies, he added.
The justice minister told roundtable participants the government supports a “get tough on crime” agenda. Just before Christmas, the Senate came back with what Mr. Nicholson called a “watered-down” version of a new drug bill introduced in the legislature in June of last year. The bill sets out stiff penalties for drug importers, exporters, and those who run grow-ops, he said. The bill doesn’t target drug users or addicts; rather, it targets drug production, trafficking and organized crime, he explained. He said he is committed to tougher drug penalties and will reintroduce the legislation until it becomes law.
“If you’re going to bring illegal drugs into Canada, distribute drugs or run a grow-op business, you’re going to jail,” said Mr. Nicholson.
As part of the government’s effort to crack down on crime, Bill C-25, which eliminates the old rule of double credit for time served before sentencing, rolls out next week, he explained. As of Feb. 22, anyone charged with a crime will only get single credit for time spent in custody. Mr. Nicholson said the outgoing two-for-one rule undermined the public’s confidence in the justice system. He said the change will unclog the justice system by discouraging suspects and their lawyers from dragging out bail hearings and trials with continual adjournments, due to the benefits of the two-for-one credit system at sentencing.
Finally, Chief Sweet said police services need better tools to investigate proceeds of crime. He cited an example of someone living in a mansion, wearing expensive jewelry yet has never worked a day in their life. The money to support that type of lifestyle most likely comes from the proceeds of crime, he said.
“Give us a Revenue Canada person in our office and watch us go,” said Chief Sweet.
Letters to the Editor: dirwin@northumberlandnews.com
Cobourg roundtable discussions examines justice system
Conservatives tough on crime: Minister of Justice
Feb 19, 2010 - 04:29 AM
By Jeanne Beneteau
COBOURG -- It’s not every day area police services and community representatives can air their concerns and hopes for Canada’s criminal justice system with the country’s top elected official within the justice portfolio, said Cobourg’s police chief.
Chief Paul Sweet, and representatives from the Port Hope Police Service and Northumberland OPP, along with community stakeholders met with Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Northumberland-Quinte West MP Rick Norlock at the Cobourg police station, on Feb. 17. The roundtable discussion provided Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Norlock an opportunity to share the federal government’s plans to tighten up the Criminal Code and help make it easier for police to intercept criminals who use the Internet to perpetuate their illegal activities.
“A small session like this, talking with the Minister of Justice,” is a unique opportunity to discuss the tools officers need to keep communities, Chief Sweet said.
Mr. Nicholson said Bill C-46 and Bill C-47 are pending legislations designed to make it easier for police to do their jobs. Bill C-46 will equip law enforcement agencies with new investigative tools adapted to computer crimes, and Bill C-47 will require telecommunications service providers to have technology in place to enable police services to carry out lawful interceptions on their networks. Both are much-needed technical changes to the Criminal Code, said Mr. Nicholson.
“The Criminal Code is out-of-date, stuck in 1955 technology,” he said.
Chief Sweet agreed, noting these changes will give police a bigger stick to tackle online crime, including child porn.
The way people communicate has changed dramatically, it’s not just the phone anymore and police services must be able to keep up with rapidly-changing technologies, he added.
The justice minister told roundtable participants the government supports a “get tough on crime” agenda. Just before Christmas, the Senate came back with what Mr. Nicholson called a “watered-down” version of a new drug bill introduced in the legislature in June of last year. The bill sets out stiff penalties for drug importers, exporters, and those who run grow-ops, he said. The bill doesn’t target drug users or addicts; rather, it targets drug production, trafficking and organized crime, he explained. He said he is committed to tougher drug penalties and will reintroduce the legislation until it becomes law.
“If you’re going to bring illegal drugs into Canada, distribute drugs or run a grow-op business, you’re going to jail,” said Mr. Nicholson.
As part of the government’s effort to crack down on crime, Bill C-25, which eliminates the old rule of double credit for time served before sentencing, rolls out next week, he explained. As of Feb. 22, anyone charged with a crime will only get single credit for time spent in custody. Mr. Nicholson said the outgoing two-for-one rule undermined the public’s confidence in the justice system. He said the change will unclog the justice system by discouraging suspects and their lawyers from dragging out bail hearings and trials with continual adjournments, due to the benefits of the two-for-one credit system at sentencing.
Finally, Chief Sweet said police services need better tools to investigate proceeds of crime. He cited an example of someone living in a mansion, wearing expensive jewelry yet has never worked a day in their life. The money to support that type of lifestyle most likely comes from the proceeds of crime, he said.
“Give us a Revenue Canada person in our office and watch us go,” said Chief Sweet.