Conservatives are bringing up the issue of youth crime in this federal election.
Huron Bruce Conservative Candidate Ben Lobb and about 60 party supporters welcomed Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson at a meeting in Port Elgin on Saturday.
Nicholson was not only there to support Lobb but also to bring to attention the Youth Justice Act.
The Conservatives are proposing tougher legislation on crimes committed by youths that includes an increase in minimum sentences.
Nicholson says statistics show that crime has gone up since 1990 and the Conservatives are responding to concerns of Canadians.
He says other parties have a soft-on-crime approach and that is not what his party stands for.
He says the government has a responsibility to send a clear message and that is if you commit a crime, there are serious consequences.
Nicholson says the Liberals have not made crime — especially among youth — an important issue in this election.
He says Leader Stephane Dion’s solution to every problem seems to be a carbon tax.
He says Dion’s “a one-trick-pony” and that is not what the country needs.
Nicholson also addressed the issue of farming saying the Conservatives are taking steps to help the agricultural sector by reducing the excise tax on diesel fuel and many others initiatives.
He says a carbon tax will drive up the price of everything.
He says it is not the way to go and it is not good for manufacturing, small business, and farmers.
