|
PUBLICATION:
The National Post ------------------------------------------------------------------- Harper
talking tough on crime ------------------------------------------------------------------- SURREY, B.C. -- Conservative leader Stephen Harper said on Friday that his party would get tough on crimes like marijuana grow-ops, street racing and auto theft - issues he said the Liberal government has ignored. "Most of the time they don't even admit a problem exists," Harper said. "They point to selective statistics of crime going down." Harper's visit to British Columbia is part of a cross-Canada tour to meet police and victims of crime after the party unveiled a task force last month to examine crime rates their leader says are on the rise. Citing the Liberals' failed gun registry, which he called a "boondoggle of epic proportions," Harper said the Liberals have only thrown money at issues without solving any problems. He said it's time that mandatory sentences are enforced and that non-Canadians who commit serious crimes are deported. Harper also criticized Justice Minister Irwin Colter's proposal Thursday to clamp down on street racing, an issue proposed in a private member's bill by MP Chuck Cadman, who died recently. "The Liberal
party has never favoured this initiative nor has it ever favoured any
tougher sentencing initiatives," Harper said. Harper called for an innovative approach to crime, such as British Columbia's bait car program, which has reduced car theft. The Conservatives plan to develop an urban violence strategy for the party's election platform. Canada's overall crime rate fell one per cent last year, while the national homicide rate increased 12 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Joe Wamback of the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation said his group will support any political party that shows initiatives toward strengthening victims' issues. Wamback is one of several community members in Ontario who has met with Harper and is hoping he will be invited to join the task force to voice victims' concerns. His son, Jonathan, was severely beaten at a park "by a gang of up to young 14 thugs with nothing better to do" in Newmarket, Ont., in June 1999. Jonathan, then 15, spent two weeks on life support, three months in a coma, seven months paralyzed and two years in a wheelchair. While offenders have various support services, there are few resources for victims, said Wamback, adding his family was dragged into an ordeal that forced them to learn about the shortcomings of the justice system and the lack of political will to do something about crime. "Everybody will stand up for a photo op when they're putting their arms around somebody that has been almost murdered by an act of violence but when it comes to doing something there's very few of them that will." Wamback has introduced a proposed amendment to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that would entrench rights for victims of violent crime, who he says continue to suffer in many ways, including being stuck with medical bills they can't afford to pay. He has sent the amendment to all MPs and has asked them if they will support its introduction in the House of Commons. Harper expects the task force's final report by Oct. 31. |