On September 20, 2011, the newly-elected Conservative majority government re-introduced an omnibus crime bill, Bill C-10. (formely known as the "Safe Streets and Communities Act") The bill combines more than 10 different pieces of previously unpassed criminal legislation, as well as proposing to amend the Criminal Code of Canada with respect to drug offences. This bill specifically targets growers, dealers and consumers of cannabis, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for the cultivation of modest amounts of cannabis.
Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson unveiled the government's new omnibus crime bill on Sept. 20. (Adrian Wyld/CP)
Tory crime bill cracks down on drug, sex offences, What's in the Tory crime bill — and what's not
On Sept. 20, federal justice minister Rob Nicholson tabled C-10, the government’s new crime bill.
Formally known as The Safe Streets and Communities Act, the bill actually comprises nine smaller bills that were introduced by the Conservative government during its minority rule, but were never passed.
The Conservatives’ election platform promised to pass this bill within 100 sitting days of Parliament, beginning on June 6.
C-10 contains the following bills:
The Protecting Children from Sexual Predators Act
Formerly Bill C-54, this act would:
Establish new mandatory minimum penalties for existing offences related to child exploitation
Increase maximum prison sentences for four of these offences (to reflect their “particularly heinous nature”
Create two new offences: 1) to ban anyone from providing sexually explicit material to a child for the purpose of committing a sexual offence against that child, and 2) to ban anyone from using any means of telecommunications (e.g. the internet) to make arrangements with another person to commit a sexual offence against a child
>> View the full government backgrounder on this act
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The Increasing Penalties for Organized Drug Crime Act
Formerly Bill S-10, this act would:
Provide mandatory minimum penalties for serious drug offences when they are carried out by organized crime or target youth
Increase the maximum penalty for the manufacture of drugs in Schedule II of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (like marijuana) from seven to 14 years
Move date-rape drugs and amphetamines to Schedule I, thus resulting in higher maximum penalties
>> View government backgrounder
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Protecting the Public from Violent Young Offenders Act
Formerly Bill C-4, this act would:
Make the protection of society the primary objective of the Youth Criminal Justice Act
Ask the Crown to consider adult sentences for youth convicted of serious violent crimes
>> View government backgrounder
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The Ending House Arrest for Property and Other Serious Crimes by Serious and Violent Offenders Act
Formerly C-16, this act would:
Propose amendments that would restrict the use of conditional sentences (like house arrest) for offences like manslaughter, arson, sexual assault and drug trafficking, among others
>> View government backgrounder
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The Increasing Offender Accountability Act
Formerly Bill C-39, this act would:
· Keep the families of victims better informed about the behaviour and handling of offenders · Authorize police to arrest, without an warrant, any offender who appears to be breaking their release conditions
>> View government backgrounder
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The Eliminating Pardons for Serious Crimes Act
Formerly Bill C-23B, this act would:
Replace the word “pardon” with “record suspension”
Make certain people ineligible for a record suspension, including those convicted of sexual offences against minors and those convicted of more than three offences
>> View government backgrounder
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The International Transfer of Canadian Offenders Back to Canada Act
Formerly Bill C-5, this act would
Propose amendments to the International Transfer of Offenders Act, which would establish additional factors in deciding whether an offender would be granted a transfer back to Canada — particularly if he/she was likely to endanger public safety or otherwise engage in criminal activities
>> View government backgrounder
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The Supporting Victims of Terrorism Act
Formerly Bill S-7, this act would:
Permit victims of terrorism to sue the perpetrators or supporters of terrorism, including foreign countries that the Canadian government has listed as having provided support to terrorism
>> View government backgrounder
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Protecting Vulnerable Foreign Nationals against Trafficking, Abuse and Exploitation Act
Formerly Bill-C-56, this act would:
Make it possible to deny work permits to people who are vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, including exotic dancers, low-skilled labourers and victims of human trafficking
>> View government backgrounder
