Three men were killed at a shooting in a southeast Calgary restaurant on Jan. 1. Police said two were linked to gangs; the third man was a bystander. (CBC)

Calgary police, who have seen an escalation in gang violence in the city, say new anti-gang legislation tabled by the federal Conservatives on Thursday is a good first step in fighting the gang crime problem.

The proposed changes to the Criminal Code would make any gang-related slaying an automatic first-degree murder charge and create a new offence for drive-by shootings with a minimum sentence of four years imprisonment, up to a maximum of 14 years.

"This … is an excellent first step to show that the federal government is recognizing that this is a problem, a growing problem," said Kevin Brookwell, a spokesman for the Calgary Police Service, on Thursday. "These are additional tools that they have put in our hands, once it's passed, to help with the gang situation."

Gang violence has spiked in the past two years in Calgary with drive-by shootings, daytime attacks and the death of a bystander on New Year's Day.

Unsolved gang-related homicides mounting

Acting Staff Sgt. Gord Eiriksson from the Calgary police organized crime unit admitted Thursday that no arrests, much less convictions, have been made in the recent homicides but said new federal laws will help in the future.

"We haven't seen a conviction for one of these homicides yet, but that, I'm very optimistic, will change," he said.

"With this new legislation if these criminals are convicted and put into a federal institution, it's going to be for 25 years minimum. That's one person that we as a society don't have to worry about for the next quarter of a decade. They're gone. They can serve their penance, and they can live and die in jail."

'We cannot let this culture develop where people think there are no consequences for making decisions that are in violation of the rules of society.'— Alison Redford, Alberta justice minister

Alberta Justice Minister Alison Redford acknowledged some critics suggest the changes won't deter gang members from committing crimes but still applauded the federal move.

"I don't want to hear people say we shouldn't try because it might not work. I'd rather have the legislation on the books than not have it on the books," said the Calgary-Elbow MLA.

"I don't think someone necessarily sits down and reads the Criminal Code before they decide whether or not to get involved in criminal activity. But we cannot let this culture develop where people think there are no consequences for making decisions that are in violation of the rules of society."

The proposed bill also seeks to raise sentences for those convicted of assaulting police officers with a weapon or causing bodily harm to 10 years in prison.

Redford said many of the ideas introduced on Thursday reflect suggestions made by an Alberta delegation during a meeting with her federal counterpart in December.

However, Brookwell said the Calgary police force would still like to see other reforms that the police chief and Redford have been lobbying for, including:

• Reverse onus for bail that requires individuals to prove why they should be released into the community, as opposed to the Crown and police making the case against it.
• No extra credit given for time served in custody.