The federal Liberals plan to shoot down a crime bill proposed by the Conservatives that would include stiffer sentences for drug possession and could also require tens of millions, even billions of dollars to build new prisons.
The Liberals also worry Bill S-10 – which was passed by the Senate and is before the House of Commons – would unfairly target younger criminals, as it would carry the same mandatory six-month sentence for possessing six marijuana plants as it would for having 200.
“This bill isn’t tough on crime, it’s dumb on crime,” said Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.
The Conservatives haven’t actually said how much it would cost to implement the bill or build new prisons. But the bill is expected to put more people in jail, despite what health professionals say: there is no evidence mandatory minimum sentences reduce drug use or deter crime.
Last week, a group of 400 leading physicians and scientists criticized the legislation, claiming it is not scientifically grounded and research demonstrates it may contribute to health and social harms.
Crime rates in Canada have been declining in recent years, without such a bill.
Housing a federal prisoner costs $88,000 a year, and with more of them coming, Corrections plans to hire 5,000 new employees.
Even in the U.S., a conservative group is arguing for more responsible spending on criminal justice.
The discussion inevitably leads back to the issue of pot prohibition and legalization, but what it’s really about is getting re-elected, not what makes sense.
Mr. Ignatieff is right. That is dumb.
