When I visit throughout the riding a lot of concern is expressed about gangs and crime.
There is particular concern about violent crime. I believe we need to do more do more to protect our communities, and attack the roots of violent crime.
We need to start by supporting our police officers who need the tools and resources to do their job. Their effective work is key to a safe community. We need to:
Create 2,500 new police officer positions to make our city streets safer;
Increase resources and co-ordination among all law enforcement and judicial agencies to ensure prompt return to the appropriate jurisdiction of all accused who are wanted on Canada-wide warrants;
Put a new emphasis on "cyber-crime" that targets seniors and young people in particular;
Strengthen witness protection to ensure that young people and members of the community can more readily come forward with information they have about crime in their community;
Strengthen efforts to curb and prosecute white-collar and corporate crime.
We have to take on gang violence. The influence of gangs is growing. We have to fight back for our communities. We need to:
Support dedicated federal/provincial police units to combat gangs and organized crime networks, backed by organized crime prosecution teams;
Ensure first-degree murder charges for gang-related homicides;
Make drive-by shootings and firing at a building indictable offences;
Re-classify auto theft as a stand-alone, indictable violent offence;
Create a federally funded permanent youth gang diversion strategy, including: Substance abuse prevention and harm reduction programs, stay-in-school programs, employment programs and conflict mediation skills training and expansion of Canadian Crime Prevention Fund pilot projects.
We have to address the roots of crime with active prevention. We need to:
Increase federal government funding for prevention and awareness campaigns focused on solutions to violence in our communities;
Create a year-round youth employment and skills development program delivered through youth centres. The program will promote skills enhancement, community development, sports, culture, and recreational activities. It will lead to high quality jobs, career opportunities and active involvement by young people in their communities.
The fair and effective administration of justice is a cornerstone to maintaining a safe community. We need to act on the need for more effective prison and sentencing programs to reduce the number of repeat offenders and end the 'revolving door' syndrome, to build up restorative justice opportunities, and to increase training, rehabilitation and drug addiction programs within the justice system.
As MP I will be fighting for a comprehensive plan that tackles crime and the causes of crime in the North and across Canada.
