The federal government went back to work last week with debate on several pieces of crime legislation.
The Safe Streets and Communities Act reintroduced nine bills previously debated in Parliament but were never passed under the minority government.
“Things are going very well despite the opposition doing what they can to filibuster and try to delay the passage of these bills,” said Westlock – St. Paul MP Brian Storseth, in a phone interview from Ottawa last week.
“We know as a majority government we will do what we have to do to make sure that these things get passed so Canadians are protected.”
The first week also saw activity on the Conservatives’ human smuggling bill, he said. Constituents demanded the government take fair but tougher action on illegal immigration and cue jumping after the arrival of the Sun Sea ship carrying illegal immigrants on the west coast last year, he added.
With the election of a majority Conservative government, the tough on crime legislation is expected to pass within the first 100 days of the fall session.
“These are things we promised to Canadians that we will introduce and get done in the first 100 days,” said Storseth.
The legislation includes the Protecting Children from Sexual Predators Act, which proposes increased penalties for sexual offences against children, as well as creates two new offences aimed at conduct that could facilitate or enable the commission of a sexual offence against a child, according to the Department of Justice website.
The Penalties for Organized Drug Crime Act would target organized crime by imposing tougher sentences for the production and possession of illicit drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
