Liberal mad men target legal beagles over C-10

The Liberals want members of Canada's legal community to join the fight against bill C-10, the government's omnibus crime legislation. The party is running ads in a number of law publications, including Lawyers WeeklyTimes, Canadian Lawyer, Law Times, Le Journal du Barreau du Quebec, National Magazine and University Affairs.

The ad features a Canadian flag behind prison bars and an open letter from the Liberal party's interim leader Bob Rae asking readers, "If you don't oppose the omnibus crime bill, who will?"

The Canadian Bar Association is one group that has expressed its concerns to the government. In a 96-page submission to the House of Commons justice committee, it critiques the bill's emphasis on punishment rather than rehabilitation. "As most offenders will one day return to their communities, prevention and rehabilitation are most likely to contribute to public safety," the CBA says.

Among other things, the new legislation introduces tougher measures for young offenders and would introduce new mandatory minimum sentences for several drug and sex offences.

The Conservatives have promised to pass the bill, which MPs are now going through clause by clause, within 100 sitting days.