Politicians talk tough on crime in B.C., but fail to agree on actions

Both federal and provincial leaders are saying they want to get tough on crime, but it appears there is little agreement at either level on what that means and what needs to be done.

B.C.'s Attorney General Wally Oppal is heading to Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon to talk crime and punishment with his federal counterparts, after a wave of gang and gun-related shootings in recent weeks left many Lower Mainland residents fearful and demanding a crackdown.

But while Oppal is flying to Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be preparing for a Thursday trip to Vancouver, where he's expected to talk up his party's plans to crack down on crime.

Oppal said it's no problem that the prime minister will be in B.C. while he is in Ottawa.

Minister of justice is key

"We need to talk to the minister of justice. We also need to talk to opposition members, because each time we try to get changes to the Criminal Code we're told this is a minority parliament, and so we've lined up meetings with all the opposition members, including the Liberals, the NDP, and the Bloc," said Oppal.

Oppal, who has been critical of the legal system's handling of criminal gangs and gun crimes, wants changes to the rules surrounding disclosure, wiretaps, and two-for-one credit for time served in pre-trial custody.

But Harper's Conservatives are expected to announce new legislation on Wednesday in Parliament that will increase sentences for drug crimes and gang-related homicides.    

Meanwhile, during Tuesday's question period in Ottawa, the Conservatives and the Liberals traded jabs over which party has been tougher on crime.

B.C. Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh told the House of Commons that Conservatives have failed to act while Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Surrey have turned into "war zones."

Federal parties trade jabs

Dosanjh said the Opposition has supported 90 per cent of the public safety legislation proposed by the Conservatives since they took office in 2006.

"They killed the other 10 per cent, either by calling an election or by proroguing the government to save their own skin," Dosanjh told the House. 

In response, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson criticized the Liberals for opposing the Tories' Tackling Violent Crime Act, which he said was "fought all the way along" while the previous Parliament was sitting.

"I'm pleased to see the Opposition is finally figuring out that crime is a problem in this country, and a big problem in British Columbia," Nicholson told the House. 

"I wish the honourable member and his party would have been more helpful in last Parliament."

The minister then called on the Liberals to help pass the government's justice proposals, including ensuring mandatory prison times for those who commit serious gun crimes.