MINISTER COTLER ANNOUNCES THREE-PRONGED STRATEGY TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE

WHITEHORSE, November 9, 2005 – Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today announced his intention to seek Cabinet approval to introduce in Parliament a package of legislative reforms to address the illegal use of guns as part of a three-pronged strategy of tougher laws, enhanced enforcement and prosecutions, and community investments in crime prevention.

"The disturbing increase of homicides involving firearms in urban centres such as Toronto and Winnipeg have underscored the need to attack the problem of the illegal use of firearms on a number of fronts," said Minister Cotler. "What I am announcing today is a three-pronged strategy involving: first, legislative measures and enhanced punishments; second, initiatives to assist prosecutors and law enforcement officials in bringing the perpetrators of gun-related crimes to justice; and third, investments to prevent youth from following a life of crime and to provide them with hope and opportunity."

In Whitehorse, Yukon, for a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice, Minister Cotler said that his proposed legislative package includes increasing mandatory minimum penalties for firearms smuggling, trafficking and the illegal possession of loaded handguns in a public place; expanding prohibition order provisions; restricting the availability of parole for violent firearm offences; and facilitating witness testimony and protection. It also includes two new offences: breaking and entering with intent to steal a firearm and robbery where a firearm is stolen. He noted that the need for these initiatives reflected the shared commitment and resolve of FPT Ministers.

In response to the particular problems of urban violence as exemplified by the City of Toronto, Minister Cotler announced formal agreement with the Province of Ontario to create dedicated, integrated teams of federal and provincial officials to collaborate and coordinate efforts to prosecute gun crimes. Prosecutors will be cross-designated to represent both the Attorneys General of Canada and Ontario, to allow greater flexibility in the choice of offences to be prosecuted.

"This unique approach to law enforcement, which will include police, prosecutors, paralegals and other professionals, will be a model which could be used by other provinces," Minister Cotler added.

The third component of this strategy is the prevention of crime, including:

• support for community-based prevention and intervention strategies targeting guns and gangs in Canada’s urban areas. The Minister highlighted the announcement today by Prime Minister Paul Martin of the establishment of a $50 million Gun Violence and Gangs Prevention Fund to provide new program funding to governments and organizations engaged in the combating of guns and gang violence.


• support for community-based youth justice programs and partnerships involving pre-charge diversion, and community justice initiatives to deterring youths from engaging in guns and gangs, including an additional $1 million to the Department of Justice Canada’s Youth Justice Renewal Fund.


• community investments through the Youth Employment Strategy and the Justice Department’s on-going programming and partnerships to provide hope and opportunities for youth and communities at risk across the country.

"We need to combat the causes of crime as well as crime itself," said Minister Cotler. "That is the raison-d’être of this crime prevention strategy."

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Ref.:
Marc Chalifoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice Canada
(613) 957-4207