Will a new crime bill make Canada safer?

The Conservatives introduced an omnibus crime bill Tuesday that is meant to make Canadian streets and communities safer. (iStock)Is "tough on crime" legislation the best way to make Canada's communities and streets safer?

The federal Conservatives believe so. They introduced a wide-ranging bill Tuesday morning that will, among other things:

• Present mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes.
• Eliminate house arrest for violent offenders.
• Stiffen jail terms for child predators.
• Limit judicial discretion in the treatment of offenders.
• Compel internet service providers to hand over email and other internet usage data without a search warrant, even if no formal investigation is underway.

"Canadians ... know they can continue to count on us to fight crime so that our communities are safe places for people to live, raise their families, and do business," said Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, in announcing the bill.

Opposition parties are balking at the price, however, which is expected to be in the tens of billions of dollars. (No official costs have been released.)

And critics say that Canada's current crime rates - at historic lows - don't justify tougher laws. They argue similar measures in the U.S. have shown no appreciable increase in public safety.

What do you think? Does Canada need tough new crime legislation? Why or why not? How would you keep crime rates low, if it were up to you? Please share your thoughts in the field below.


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)