The federal Liberal Party announced last week it will oppose Bill S-10 in Parliament to prevent tougher prison terms for drug crimes.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said the bill is “dumb,” as it disproportionately targets youth and would cause an explosion of costs to build new mega-prisons.
“We’re all in favour of cracking down on serious criminals, but this bill doesn’t distinguish between massive grow-ops and a first-time offender with a small amount.”
He noted a disproportionate number of young Canadians would be harmed by the marijuana provisions of the bill, which proposes a mandatory six-month sentence for possessing as few as six marijuana plants, or as many as 200.
Liberal Senators tried to raise the minimum number of plants to 20, but their Conservative Party counterparts refused amendments to the bill, Ignatieff complained.
Without the Liberals’ support in the House of Commons, Bill S-10 will likely die on the table, he added.
However, Conservative Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod noted the Liberals have flip-flopped in its decision because this is exactly the same bill the official Opposition supported a few months ago, right down to the six-plant minimum.
She said Bill S-10 only targets serious drug use and organized crime when it’s associated with going after the nation’s youths.
The bill aims at marijuana operations related to serious crimes, such as those involving weapons, violence or organized crime drug operations, McLeod added.
“It’s not about casual drug use; it’s about an association with serious crime or serious drugs, like date-rape drugs … and less serious drugs when associated with serious crime.”
The Stephen Harper government refers to a schedule that lists serious drugs, including methamphetamines, crystal meth, date-rape drugs and others, she explained.
“Marijuana is considered differently, but when it’s associated with serious crime it is, in our minds, a big issue.”
McLeod said her interpretation and understanding of the bill is that for possessing six plants without aggravating issues, such as a link to organized crime or weapons, the mandatory six-month sentence would not apply.
However, Ignatieff noted his party’s dissatisfaction with the Conservatives’ refusal to reveal the cost implications of implementing the bill, which he said could involve billions of dollars to incarcerate so many offenders.
Liberal finance critic Scott Brison went so far as to accuse the government of contempt of Parliament for refusing to disclose prison spending.
On the question of revealing costs, McLeod would not provide details.
She simply reiterated the bill relates only to serious crimes, not casual drug use, and said her government makes no apologies for people who put date-rape drugs in someone’s drink having to spend time in jail.
