Protesters Hit MPs' Offices to Decry Omnibus Crime Bill

As clause-by-clause of Bill C-10 wraps up, activists are set to warn MPs: "Don't mess up like Texas."

Protesters are headed to MPs' offices across the country today to let them know that Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill, will do far more harm than good to the Canadian justice system. Late last night, the House of Commons justice committee wrapped up its clause-by-clause review of the gargantuan bill, which bundles together nine previous bills aimed at curbing drug trafficking, crimes against children, and more. Among the biggest points of contention is the bill's introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for growing marijuana, a point that Liberal justice critic Irwin Cotler and NDP MPs Jack Harris and Charmaine Borg tried to get the Tories to relent on last night. But not a single opposition amendment – not even Cotler's suggestion to have "trafficking" changed to mean "for commercial gain" so as to not impugn somebody for passing a joint - was passed by the Conservative-dominated committee, so the bill will be sent back to the House in its (nearly) original form. The Tories did amend one clause to say that pot growers need at least six plants to face a mandatory minimum. Regardless, the lack of other changes ought to give the LeadNow.ca-organized protests that much more to complain about today.