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OTTAWA — If you thought the federal Conservatives had completed their “tough-on-crime” agenda by now, think again.

Justice policy plays to the party’s base of supporters, is hard for the opposition to attack, and ultimately tugs on the heartstrings of all Canadians who want to see victims helped and crimes prevented or punished.

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What can we expect as Parliament resumes?

A Victims Bill of Rights

The Harper government has vowed to make the justice system more sensitive to the needs of crime victims. This bill marks the culmination of those efforts.

Victims of Crime Ombudsman Sue O’Sullivan wants a bill that gives victims the right to review a decision not to prosecute; the right to a recent photo of an offender at the time of his or her release; and the right for victims to have a say in plea-bargain agreements.

Critics are concerned about court costs and jurisdictional issues. University of Ottawa law Prof. Carissima Mathen says victims have “legitimate expectations” to be informed, but the justice system is supposed to be “impartial” and “giving them more influence in criminal trials” is “not the way to go.”