A different direction

Canadians are not troublemakers.  Most of my friends and acquaintances here in Thunder Bay are law-abiding and rule-following citizens.  None of them are in jail.

This is true of most Canadians all around the country and our good behavior is reflected by Stats Canada.  Our crime rate has been declining for decades and is now at its lowest rate since 1973.

Almost every crime indicator in this country is down in both numbers and severity. In 2010 there were 77,000 fewer police reported crimes in the country.  Lower property crime rates accounted for most of this decrease but there were also drops in homicide rates, attempted murder, robbery and assault.

Mind you, this is cold comfort for the victims of crime and the families involved but there is little evidence of a national crime spree or imminent danger from desperados and thugs.  Most of our city and our country is a safe haven from criminals and harm.

However, a popular misconception supported by Stephen Harper and his party would have us believe the opposite.  According to the majority Conservatives, unreported crimes are happening all around us and unpunished criminals are lurking in every community.

These phantom crimes form part of the government’s argument for introducing new crime legislation.  They are convinced that we must build more prisons to accommodate thousands of future criminals.  The more Canadians that end up in jail, the safer the rest of us will be.

They are responding with something called an omnibus crime bill.  It is a collection of old legislation, some good and some not so good, that could never pass in a minority government.  Now that they have finally achieved their majority, Harper and his gang will have their way. 

Once Bill C-10 is passed, the government will be free to implement the solution to a problem that most analysts agree, doesn’t really exist.  What’s more, the Conservatives have chosen a path toward an American style of tough justice with mandatory minimum sentences and more prisons.  Nobody outside the government thinks this is a good idea.

Our American friends have been struggling for years with their sorry reputation as the world leader in criminal acts per year.  The U.K. is second.  Canada ranks eighth worldwide and is dropping. 

In view of crime statistics in our country the Omnibus Crime Bill seems like a huge over-reaction.  Most critics agree.  Even the Americans are admitting that their approach hasn’t worked and in fact, it has made things even worse over time.

The Canadian Bar Association has condemned the mandatory minimum sentences contained in the bill.  There are concerns about privacy and free speech in Canada.  Parts of this omnibus raise serious questions about our basic rights and freedoms. 
Soon the courts will be clogged with vulnerable Canadians and constitutional challenges. 

After four decades of getting tough on crime many States are shifting their approach toward rehabilitation and young offenders are being actively diverted away from prison and towards a more productive life.  These methods, by comparison, have been proven to work.  Even the State of Texas, of all places, is getting with the program and is working positively with young offenders.  

It’s hard to understand why Canada has chosen to re-learn this lesson the hard way by repeating the failures of our neighbors to the south.  Tell us Mr. Harper, what have Canadians done to deserve this harsh treatment?

Jurisdictions all over the world are working to reduce their prison populations and they are baffled by Canada’s decision to use punishment as a tool to shape society.  However, promises were made by the Conservatives during the election campaign and rightly or wrongly, they will be kept.    

As for me, I am mostly disappointed by the lost opportunity.  In this country a strong national leader with a new majority government should be able to accomplish great things.  I am not a big fan of Mr. Harper but I am pulling for our country and I want him to be successful for the benefit of all Canadians.  Is this the best he can come up with?

With the resources of Canada at his disposal our Prime Minister could afford to demonstrate vision and courage.  Instead, he will build new prisons and fill them with thousands of prospective new inmates while he leads us in a different direction altogether.

In this case Mr. Harper seems to be telling us. “I’ve already made up my mind.  Please don’t confuse me with the facts.”