Newfoundland and Labrador says it can't afford any extra costs that may come if the federal government's crime bill becomes law.

Bill C-10 combines nine pieces of legislation that will mean major changes to several laws.

It will also mean more people who end up in the system could be looking at longer prison sentences.

Justice Minister Felix Collins says they will be asking Ottawa for help.

"We have discussed this at meetings for a number of years now, and we have always put forward the case that the federal government should come to the table with some funds for that," he said.

Collins says the province hasn't yet figured out exactly what the extra cost will be.

A St. John's group that advocates for prison inmates and people who have served time in jail is also speaking out about the changes that are expected because of the crime bill.

It will mean more people could receive longer prison sentences.

Cindy Murphy, executive director of the John Howard Society, said people convicted of committing a crime should receive more help instead of more jail time.

"If they're not getting that kind of programming and intervention, then we're no safer when they're released back into the community," said Murphy.

On Sept. 20, federal justice minister Rob Nicholson tabled C-10, the government’s new crime bill.

Formally known as The Safe Streets and Communities Act, the bill actually comprises nine smaller bills that were introduced by the Conservative government during its minority rule, but were never passed.

The Conservatives' election platform promised to pass Bill C-10 within 100 sitting days of Parliament, beginning on June 6.