hanging out with davemacdonald

Back in October, I sent an email through Leadnow.ca regarding Bill C-10, the Conservatives’ new Crime Bill.

It was a canned letter, but I’ve got some serious concerns about the bill, itself, as well as the fast-pace process through which it’s moving through the system. Here’s the letter I received from my MP, Randy Kamp:

Dear Dave,

Thank you for copying me on your e-mail to Minister Nicholson.  I appreciate your taking the time to write.  I apologize for the delay in responding.  While you may receive a more complete reply from the Minister, I would like to make some comments.

Our Government believes in protecting Canadians and their communities to make our streets safer.  Bill C-10 brings together nine bills that focused on issues such as sexual exploitation of children, repeat offenders, human smuggling, organized drug traffickers, and terrorism; bills that had been brought before previous minority Parliaments and debated extensively.  Our Government made a promise during the election to pass this legislation within 100 sitting days.  We were elected on it, and we are keeping that promise.  At the same time, over the past six years, we have increased supports to victims and expanded youth diversion programs to assist in crime prevention.  Bill C-10 also includes the expansion of drug treatment courts, that have been running in Canada for almost ten years, to assist those who are in need of drug treatment, not jail time.  Bill C-10 is a balanced, made in Canada solution, dealing with specific issues to help make our streets safer.

Thanks again for writing.

Regards,

Randy

Randy Kamp, M.P.
Pitt Meadows — Maple Ridge — Mission

I just can’t believe it. As written in my reply, I cant trust the Conservatives’ commitment to drug treatment when they’re taking on Insite and letting humanitarian issues drag on like those at Attawapiskat and other places across the country where people don’t even have access to drinking water.

My response was:

Randy,

Thank you for your email.

After the Conservatives’ recent attack on Insite that was nothing but a commitment to an ideology rather than a meaningful solution to a serious problem, I have very little faith in the Government’s commitment to treating people with addiction problems. When I lived on the Downtown East Side until this past summer, I often reflected how much better off my neighbourhood was because of Insite.

When I reflect on Bill C-10, I feel much more comfortable subscribing to Senator Eggleton’s perspective than putting faith in yours.

Dave

Art Eggleton really nailed it, I think. What are people thinking?

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