REPORT FROM PARLIAMENT

At the end of each school year a collective sigh can be heard from teachers, students and parents as classes finish for yet another summer recess. Kids and teens look forward to summer jobs, camps, sports, and spending time outdoors with their friends. Teachers take the opportunity to further their own education and prepare themselves for next year’s classes. Parents enjoy more time with their children at home or while away on vacation.

At the end of a parliamentary session, I share that eagerness to be at home in the riding with friends and family, watching my grandchildren play carefree. To ensure the continued safety of our families, your Government has been active in bringing forward legislation that recognizes the rights of victims and punishes criminals.

When it comes to tackling crime your Conservative government has been clear: we are the only party that stands for the safety and security of law abiding Canadians. We believe criminals who commit serious crimes should receive penalties that reflect the severity of their offence. Many of the laws in Canada still favour the rights of the criminal over those of the victim; however, throughout our mandate we have been changing and toughening laws to penalize the criminals.

Your Conservative government cracked down on dangerous criminals like human traffickers and arsonists making sure they will no longer be permitted to serve out their sentence under house arrest.

Many criminals were previously able to get extra credit for the time they serve behind bars before their sentencing. In some cases, they were given 2-for-1, or even, 3-for-1 credit. However this year, your Government took action to ensure criminals served their full sentences, and didn’t get extra credit for time served. With the passage of this legislation, criminals are no longer able to play the system.

Part of your Conservative government’s National Drug Strategy is to ensure that kids understand the dangers involved with illegal drugs. We are combining the education of our children with jail time for dealers who sell to kids or who hang around in schoolyards or playgrounds or places where children are likely to be found.

But while your Conservative government has be working diligently to deliver safer streets and better justice for families and the victims of crime, the Liberals are busy playing political games with the safety of Canadians. The Liberals continue to use the Senate to block the will of the House of Commons. Crucial Conservative legislation that would crack down on drug crime and on gangs that profit from illegal drugs was delayed by the opposition. While the opposition pretends to put law-abiding families first in front of the cameras, their actions speak more clearly: the Liberals & NDP are soft on crime.

Canadians expect government to work to improve the safety of their families. That is why the Conservative Government will continue to Stand up for the rights of victims, for safer streets and justice for all Canadians.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster www.gerryritzmp.ca