News Release

Date: November 20, 2007

For immediate release

THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TABLES LEGISLATION THAT PENALIZES PRODUCERS AND TRAFFICKERS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

OTTAWA, November 20, 2007 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today introduced legislative reforms to introduce mandatory jail time for people who commit the serious crimes of producing and selling illegal drugs.

“Drug producers and dealers who threaten the safety of our communities must face tougher penalties,” said Minister Nicholson. “This is why our Government is moving to impose mandatory jail time for serious drug offences that involve organized crime, violence or youth.”

The proposed amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) will ensure that certain serious drug offences will result in mandatory prison sentences. Currently there are no minimum penalties under the CDSA. The amendments include:

• A one-year mandatory prison sentence will be imposed for dealing drugs such as marijuana when carried out for organized crime purposes, or when a weapon or violence is involved;
• A two-year mandatory prison sentence will be imposed for dealing drugs such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines to youth, or for dealing those drugs near a school or an area normally frequented by youth;
• A two-year mandatory prison sentence will be imposed for the offence of running a large marijuana grow operation of at least 500 plants;
• The maximum penalty for cannabis production would increase from 7 to 14 years imprisonment; and
• Tougher penalties will be introduced for trafficking GHB and flunitrazepam (most commonly known as date-rape drugs).

“Drugs are dangerous and destructive, yet we see Canadian youth being exposed to and taking drugs at such young ages, and grow-ops and drug labs appearing in our residential areas,” said Minister Nicholson. “By introducing these changes, our message is clear: if you sell or produce drugs – you’ll pay with jail time.”

The new legislation also contains an exception that allows courts not to impose the mandatory sentence if an offender successfully completes a Drug Treatment Court (DTC) program. The program works with individuals with drug-related offences – who meet certain eligibility criteria – to overcome their drug addictions and avoid future conflict with the law. It involves a blend of judicial supervision, incentives for reduced drug use, social services support, and sanctions for non-compliance.

These legislative reforms are part of the Government of Canada’s National Anti-Drug Strategy, a multi-pronged approach announced last month by Prime Minister Harper . The strategy also focuses on preventing illicit drug use and treating those with illicit drug dependencies. It is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Justice, Public Safety Canada and Health Canada.

In addition to its plan to institute mandatory prison terms for serious drug crimes, the Government of Canada has:

• tabled the comprehensive Tackling Violent Crime Act that aims to better protect youth from sexual predators, protect society from dangerous offenders, get serious with drug impaired drivers and toughen sentencing and bail for those who commit serious gun crimes;
• tabled legislation to strengthen the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA);
• invested in crime prevention community projects across Canada that target youth;
• announced a comprehensive review of the YCJA in 2008;
• passed legislation to increase penalties for those convicted of street racing;
• passed legislation to end house arrest for serious crimes such as personal injury offences; and
• announced that legislation will be tabled to protect Canadians from identity theft.

An online version of the legislation will be available at www.parl.gc.ca

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Ref.:

• Darren Eke
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Justice
  613-992-4621
  
  
• Media Relations
  Department of Justice
  613-957-4207

This document is also available at http://www.justice.gc.ca