Submitted by Smart on Crime
Bill C-10. The Safe Streets and Communities Act. Proposed crime legislation that has prompted discussion, dialogue and deliberation around the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) table and within the community like never before. Based on input from meetings, phone calls, emails, media scans, and social media, WRCPC presents a position paper that outlines our review of and reactions to Bill C-10, our understanding of the evidence base, and our recommendations.
Over the next 5 days, we will post daily, a section of the position paper. Since Bill C10 was introduced in the House of Commons in September 2011, WRCPC members, staff and the community have been engaged in a process to better understand the legislation itself, the related evidence base, and the potential impacts of the proposed changes. And we want to hear your feedback about what we've said.
By way of a summary we recommend:
How did we get here?
The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) has worked in partnership with many community organizations, all orders of government, grassroots groups and individuals to prevent crime, victimization and fear of crime since its inception in 1993. Efforts to enhance public safety and security are highly valued by us. Our mandate is to support and engage in activities of social and community development that can positively impact the roots of crime.
In this role the Council closely monitors the impact of legislation and policies at all orders of government on the safety and security of people living, working and growing up in our community. To accomplish this complex task we pay close attention to research, conduct independent and community-based research, and combine this knowledge with the wisdom and experiences of multiple disciplines in the design of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
The position paper on Bill C-10 must be seen in this light.
WRCPC's position paper was sent to all Members of the Senate as well as our local Members of Parliament in December 2011.
You can download the full position paper here and be sure to visit the Smart on Crime blog each day over the next week to participate in the discussion - we absolutely want to hear what you have to say.
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Comments
Thank you for adding a local perspective to the national discussion on Bill C-10. It's of note that while various papers like the Globe and Mail and National Post often carry commentary on this controversial piece of legislation, many citizens remain unaware of the dangers of the "Safe Streets and Communities Act". And remember, these are not liberal newspapers. What is it that has caught their attention? Might it be the ballooning costs of the increased incarceration from the new mandatory minimum sentences? Estimates vary but it appears taxpayers could be on the hook for over a billion dollars in new costs, at least have of which will be imposed upon the provinces. And, as you point out, this is as we are heading into another dark economic outlook. Or maybe it's the lack of regard for how this money could be better spent to reduce the root causes of crime. What if this money went into mental health, housing, addiction, poverty and Aboriginal concerns? As fiscal conservatives in the U.S have found, increased incarceration has not reduced crime. It has only hurt families. When will this government begin to learn from the experience of others, if not from the data they so obviously ignore.