Archive for December, 2009

If you regularly read my columns, you will note that the Conservative government is trying to pass a considerable amount of justice reform legislation.  Now with Parliament on Christmas recess for a few weeks, I thought I would give you some quick updates.

Bill C-15 would have cracked down on drug dealers and other criminals by ensuring mandatory prison terms for serious drug offences that involve violence, organized crime or preying on our youth. However, our efforts to crack down on crime have been blocked and weakened by the unelected Liberals in the Senate.
Responding to pressure groups who feel that prison is too hard a punishment for drug dealers and criminals who operate grow-ops, Liberal Senators have gutted Bill C-15.

Legislation trying to stop child pornography on the internet (Bill C-58) is now in the House of Commons, and all party support is anticipated.  Internet service providers will be required to report child pornography.  Canada is an embarrassment when it comes to child pornography and the Conservatives are determined to change that reality.

A private members’ bill that would set mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of human trafficking (children under 18) passed third reading and is now being debated in the Senate. Bill C-268, put forward by Winnipeg Conservative MP Joy Smith, would mandate that criminals who traffic children would have to serve a minimum sentence of five years.

Another important crime bill is C-36, the Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act, is also under review in the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons. C-36 would repeal the faint hope clause in the Criminal Code, which allows criminals convicted of first or second degree murder to apply for early parole.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.

Some students at the U of S are gathering a petition to criticize me.  Naturally, I don`t agree with the petition. But I do applaud the administration at the U of S for allowing this exercise of free speech, (ie left wing students criticizing a conservative Member of Parliament).

Unfortunately, not all Canadian universities have the same tolerant attitude regarding free speech. Student unions and/or the administration at McGill, York and the University of Calgary have all attacked and sought to deny conservative groups the freedom of speech on campus.

Freedom of speech and the right to disagree with the majority should be an absolute right in our country.  The fact that organizations that are subsidized by the public dollar feel comfortable in attacking free speech should concern all Canadians.  Universities that suppress free speech are an embarrassment and should be publically censured.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.