NUPGE Components point out that the approach is contrary to the pragmatic and compassionate approach to criminal justice in which Canadians pride themselves.
Ottawa (9 Nov. 2011) - As debate over the Harper government's omnibus “tough on crime” legislation heats up in Canada, the Components of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) have expressed their concerns to provincial premiers.
The debate around the federal government’s crime legislation, The Safe Streets and Communities Act (C-10), has looked at the appropriateness of the approach and the exceptional costs involved.
A number of premiers - in particular, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia - have started to raise concerns.
NUPGE’s National President James Clancy points out that the “basic approach of this legislation is, in the opinion of almost all experts, the wrong way to proceed. The tough on crime approach has been repeatedly found to be a failure.”
Most jurisdictions, many of which are in the United States, that have followed this policy route are now abandoning it.
The new legislation ignores the growing mental health crisis facing jails across the country. As it stands currently one in five inmates suffer from mental health issues. Rather than fund improved mental health services the Harper government prefers to spend the money stuffing prisons to the point of breaking.
Clancy also points out that “all credible estimates of the cost of this legislation suggest the price tag will be enormous. The Parliamentary Budget Officer had put a figure of $5 billion over five years for just one aspect of the legislation.”
Predictions are that the new drug sentences alone will see a dramatic increase in the number of offenders in already overcrowded correctional facilities. Most of these costs will be borne by the provinces.
The sad part of all this is that it will not make our communities any safer. Very little in the legislation will: prevent crime, help the victims of crime, reduce the number of guns used in crimes or reduce the number of gangs and organized crime in Canada.
“Instead of adopting proven methods to make our communities safer, the Harper government has instead opted for the failed policy options of the American right wing,” said Clancy.
“Similar to the experience of our neighbours to the South these measures will, in all likelihood, make things worse, not better, for Canadians.”
NUPGE Components point out that the approach is contrary to the pragmatic and compassionate approach to criminal justice in which Canadians pride themselves.
“While we are encouraged that many provinces are starting to speak out in opposition, we need them to take a strong united position to convince the Harper government to change the legislation,” said Clancy.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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