It has attracted much criticism but the Harper government’s omnibus crime bill has passed in the Commons.
Our nation’s police chiefs believe crime-prevention initiatives must be part of any effective anti-crime legislation.
They say they can’t arrest their way out of the problems Canada faces.
Huron-Bruce Conservative MP Ben Lobb says the legislation is one reason why Canadians re-elected his government with a majority.
Highlights of the legislation include ending house arrest for violent offenders and toughening penalties for sexual offences against children.
The Opposition parties say the crime bill wasn’t given enough study but their attempt to slow down the process met a swift end.
All 88 amendments brought by the Liberals and New Democrats were voted down.
The Canadian Bar Association predicts the legislation will lead to overcrowded prisons and that lawyers will face an intolerable workload from the increase in cases they would have to handle.
The bill is now before the Senate.
