The Tories’ new crime bill would increase the penalties for gang-related violence
The Conservative government has introduced tough new anti-gang legislation that would automatically make gang-related homicides a first-degree murder offence. Announced Thursday morning by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, the bill also includes mandatory minimum sentences for drive-by shootings, which would become punishable by prison sentences of between four and 14 years. Penalties for assaults against police officers would be stiffened as well; an aggravated assault on officer or an assault with weapon on an officer would each carry 14-year sentences. “We are moving forward on our justice agenda to address the impact of gangs and organized crime on Canadian families and society,” Nicholson says.