The Liberal government is moving again to eliminate the mandatory minimum prison (MMPs) times handed to people convicted of some gun crimes..A proposed Liberal bill would affect 14 Criminal Code sections and six drug-related offences..The gun offences that would see MMPs dropped include possessing a restricted firearm with ammunition, weapons trafficking, discharging a firearm while committing an offence, reckless discharge of a firearm, and extortion and robbery with a firearm..It follows a similar bill the party introduced February that died without being passed when the election was called in August..It would remove MMPs from 13 firearms offences and one for a tobacco offence..MMPs would remain for murder, treason, impaired driving and sexual offences, as well as a some firearms offences..“With Bill C-5, we are turning the page on the policy of the former government. It is a policy that in the end did not discourage crime or make our justice system more efficient or more fair,” Justice Minister David Lametti said..“All the approach did was imprison too many indigenous, black and marginalized Canadians..“Indigenous adults represent 5% of the general population but account for 30% of federally incarcerated inmates. That’s double where it was 20 years ago.”.The legislation also would repeal MMPs for all six offences to which they apply under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including possession, trafficking and the production of substances classified under Schedules 1 and 2 of the act..“This measure will allow for more effective rehabilitation and integration by allowing individuals to keep their job, to care for their children or family members or to seek counselling or treatment for substance and addictions abuse,” Lametti said. .“Think about your own kids. Perhaps they got into trouble at some point with the law. I bet you would want to give them the benefit of the doubt or a second chance if they messed up. Well, it is a lot harder to get a second chance the way things are now..“And that’s particularly true if you are a young person who happens to be indigenous or black.”.Conservative.justice critic Rob Moore was less than pleased with the proposal..“Conservatives believe that serious, violent offences committed with firearms deserve mandatory prison time. It’s shameful that the Liberals think we should be weakening firearms laws in Canada,” said Moore in a statement..“This bill is soft on crime and puts communities and victims at risk.”
