Send this page to someone via email

OTTAWA – Bill C-10, dubbed the “Safe Streets and Communities Act” by the Conservative government, was set to receive final approval in the House of Commons on Monday. Here’s a summary:

– Provides new mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences related to production and distribution, including mandatory sentences for growing as few as six pot plants. Doubles maximum sentences to 14 years from seven. Offers potential exemptions for those entering drug treatment programs.

– Establishes new mandatory minimum sentences and longer maximums for sex crimes against minors, including the addition of two new offences related to grooming or luring minors.

– Sets tougher penalties for young offenders, including mandatory consideration of adult sentences and possible publication ban removal for violent crimes. Expands the definition of violent crime to include reckless acts that don’t actually cause harm.

– Changes the pardons system and makes certain ex-convicts, such as some sex offenders and repeat offenders, ineligible for life. Essentially doubles the waiting period for pardon eligibility to five years for summary offences and 10 years for indictable offences. Replaces the term “pardon” by “record suspension.”

Story continues below advertisement

– Reduces sharply the use of conditional sentences, such as house arrest, for a variety of property and other offences.

– Provides victims of crime more say in parole decisions under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Increases size of parole board by 25 per cent.

– Gives the Immigration minister new powers to deny work permits to foreigners based on the rationale they may be exploited.

– Introduces new measures to allow victims of terrorist acts to sue responsible individuals, groups or state sponsors in Canadian courts.

– Provides the government, through the minister of Public Safety, more discretion to decide if a Canadian imprisoned abroad can transfer home to serve his or her sentence.