BC Liberal PartyMay 4, 2009
STOP THE NDP For Immediate Release
Vancouver – At a time when British Columbians expect political parties to strengthen crime laws, it was revealed today that the Carole James NDP are actively campaigning against changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act which would result in mandatory jail time for producing and selling illegal drugs, putting gangsters behind bars.
“The revelation that the NDP are actively opposing tough new drug laws is simply unacceptable to the thousands of law-abiding British Columbians who don’t want criminals walking freely on their streets,” says Solicitor General Rich Coleman. “This is yet another example of the NDP talking tough about crime, but opposing the measures necessary to fight it.”
Coleman was responding to comments by NDP MP Libby Davies who is reported today as stating that the NDP will oppose proposed changes to the Controlled Dugs and Substances Act – changes that will provide mandatory prison sentences for drug dealing for organized crime purposes, when weapons or violence is involved, near a school, and for running large scale marijuana grow ops. The amendments will also increase maximum penalties for drug production and trafficking in date rape drugs.
“British Columbians are sick and tired of seeing gangsters and drug dealers get out of the justice system with a slap on the wrist,” says Coleman. “These tough new laws proposed by the federal government would put criminals who deal drugs to our kids, sell date rape drugs and are involved in organized crime where they belong – behind bars. Carole James needs to explain to British Columbians why, yet again, her party is fighting measures that would get criminals off the streets.”
The BC NDP and the federal NDP are constitutionally linked. Carole James and all NDP candidates are required to also be members of the federal NDP. Furthermore, Carole James is required to approve the nomination of every B.C. federal NDP candidate before they can run in a federal election.
“Carole James has it in her power to deny those federal NDP candidates their jobs. If she was serious about fighting gang crime, she would draw a line in the sand today and demand that they support this bill or else lose their nominations,” says Coleman.
Carole James and the NDP have voted against numerous other measures to combat gang violence, including:
- A nearly 90 per cent increase in the annual policing budget since 2001;
- 1,100 more police officers, including 168 new officers to fight gangs and organized crime;
- Returning 100 per cent of traffic fine revenue to B.C. municipalities for community safety and policing;
- 10 additional Crown prosecutors dedicated to prosecuting gangs, which means there are now 26 prosecutors dedicated to fighting gang and gun crimes;
- A four-year, $185-million correctional facilities capital plan – the largest investment in new corrections space in more than half a century which will add 304 cells across B.C. to hold more than 600 offenders.
Contact:
Shane Mills, BC Liberal Party
604-648-4258