WHEREAS over the past few years crime and its impact on businesses and communities has become one of the most important issues for Chambers of Commerce members across Canada, and opinion polls have consistently shown that crime is a more serious problem for western provinces than for eastern provinces This perception is supported by data, which, for the period 1995-2005, have shown higher crime rates in the west, both over time and across virtually all categories.; AND WHEREAS in comparison with other developed countries, crime rates in Canada are relatively high The United Nations International Crime Victims Survey of 17 industrialized countries in 2000 placed Canada in the high risk group for violent-contact crimes, worse than the United States, where the violent crime rate has dropped significantly since 1999. Canadas has stayed virtually the same. and the BC Chamber believes these types of issues can only be addressed effectively through the creation of a Criminal Justice Commission, charged with a strong but focused mandate and comprised of senior individuals from all levels of government as well as from the criminal justice community, with the key to the success of the Commission being the level to which the individuals are free from political interference; AND WHEREAS cities are beginning to develop crime reduction strategies in an effort to address the root causes of crime in individual communities and the failure of the justice system to deal adequately with chronic offenders: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial and federal government work with other levels of government to create a permanent Criminal Justice Commission that is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive national integrated crime reduction strategy to address the core issues and challenges facing the criminal justice system across the local, provincial and federal levels; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a cornerstone of a national strategy must be measures to address certain critical areas, including but not limited to: 1. Increased levels of policing; 2. Adequate prosecution resources; 3. Improved sentencing guidelines, including escalating sentences for chronic offenders; 4. Revision of public policy underlying the Criminal Code to re-emphasize the protection of society and the responsibility of individuals for their criminal behaviour; 5. Improved treatment for addictions and mental health; and 6. Addressing the underlying social conditions and influences, which contribute to the severity of the problem.
MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL The British Columbia Criminal Justice Reform Secretariat Secretariat, a joint initiative of the three justice ministries Ministry of Attorney General, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Ministry of Children and Family Development, has embarked on a three-year plan to bring about changes to the justice system to better meet the needs of individuals, families, businesses and communities in a more cost effective, timely and meaningful way. The three-year plan is built around the concept of early solutions and faster justice. In a practical sense, this means that the Secretariat and other agencies are working to bring together integrated teams of justice, health and social service providers to deliver supports in a holistic way, build partnerships for joint solutions and take other necessary steps to improve justice services. Initiatives being led by the Secretariat include the development and implementation of provincial crime reduction and prevention strategies. Federal government partners such as Correction Services Canada -- are integral to many of the projects being launched. Reform initiatives will be subjected to the evidence-based test to ensure they will have long-term effectiveness to deal with the root causes of crime.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA As you are probably aware from our Governments second Speech from the Throne delivered on October 16, 2007, we remain committed to tackling crime and to ensuring that all Canadians and their families can live in safe and healthy communities, free from fear of crime and violence. As part of this commitment, on October 18, 2007, I introduced in the House of Commons Bill C-2, the Tackling Violent Crime Act. On November 28, 2007 it passed on Third Reading and is now before the Senate. The enclosed copy of the news release and backgrounder provides details of this important and comprehensive piece of legislation. This legislation strikes an appropriate balance between the rights of the individual and the need to ensure that our communities are protected from those who seek to harm others. I believe that the measures contained in this legislation will better protect the lives of Canadians and will enhance the safety of communities and families.