Tories promise criminal justice overhaul

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2006 | 10:58 AM ET

CBC News

A new Conservative government would "completely overhaul" the criminal justice system by beefing up police forces across the country and by toughening up the sentences served by criminals, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said on Thursday.

Speaking in Toronto, where gun crime spiked in 2005, Harper released his party's plan to crack down on crime.

"The revolving door of criminal justice of this current government bears significant responsibility for the tide of gun, drug and gang crime plaguing our cities," Harper said, making reference to a Boxing Day shooting in downtown Toronto that killed a 15-year-old girl and wounded six others.

Stephen Harper, centre, Thursday.

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Harper said his government would impose mandatory minimum prison terms of between five and 10 years for major firearms offences, and a minimum sentence of five years for people convicted of possessing a loaded restricted or prohibited weapon, such as a handgun.

There would be no more conditional sentences, or so-called house arrest, for serious gun crimes, he said.

The Conservatives would also put more police on the streets, Harper said, by bolstering the ranks of the RCMP, as well as helping to increase municipal and provincial police forces.

Harper also said that should they win the Jan. 23 election, the Conservatives would invest in programs to help at-risk youth avoid getting involved in gangs and drugs. However, he said, "Social exclusion does not excuse turning Yonge Street into a shooting gallery."

While the United States shouldn't be blamed for gun crime on Canadian streets, Harper said, the borders do need to be tightened to prevent smuggling.

The Tories' security platform also includes proposals to:

• Shut down the federal gun registry.
• Raise the age of consent to 16 from 14 years old to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
• Sentence anyone 14 years old convicted of a serious violent crime or repeat offence as an adult.
• Re-establish the Canada Ports Police to combat drug smuggling.
• Allow border guards to carry sidearms.
• Expand the mandate of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to allow it to spy overseas.