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5 · Wednesday, November 30, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Protesters say no to proposed Crime Bill Continued from page 1 of more than 120 similar events co-ordinated by Leadnow.ca and Reclaim Our Democracy Canada across the country. Oakville's protest saw residents sing protest songs and wave signs reading `Reform not Revenge,' Bill C-10 Creates Hard-Core Criminals -- Rehabilitation is Required' and `Jobs not prisons.' Shortly after the protest began, Young emerged from his locked office at which point he was presented with a copy of the Canadian Bar Association's 10-point critique on the bill and a petition said to contain more than 24,000 signatures from Canadians calling for the proposed Crime Bill to be scrapped. Young accepted the documents and invited Berry inside to discuss the issues listed in the critique. Local media were also permitted to attend the meeting, which began with Young calling the bar association critique "very misleading and not factual." Berry argued the bill is undemocratic as it is being rushed through Parliament before groups, like the Canadian Bar Association, have had the opportunity to contribute important information such as a national mental health care strategy. Young said there is nothing rushed about the bill. "This bill is composed of nine bills represent- ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER TAKING A STAND: Protesters gathered to picket Oakville MP Terence Young's local constituency office Friday afternoon to voice opposition to the proposed Crime Bill. ing hours of debate, committee hearings, etc.," said Young. "After an election, in which we promised to pass these measures within 100 days, we are doing exactly what we promised the voters." Young and Berry also engaged in a heated debate about the substance of the bill with Young arguing it would keep dangerous people in prison longer by introducing mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of such crimes as manslaughter, aggravated assault, arson, fraud over $5,000, drug trafficking, drug production, sexual assault, abduction of a person under the age of 14, offences that result in bodily harm, and offences that involve the use of weapons. Berry said it would put more people in jail for non-violent crimes. "I would argue some of the drug offences you have created in this act are for relatively minor things," said Berry. "This bill will create a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for having six pot plants." "That's an absurd claim," said Young. "You call yourself a lawyer?" Young went on to say that section of the bill deals with drug trafficking, meaning that evidence, such as scales and large quantities of cash, would have to be found in addition to the six marijuana plants. "No one is going to prison in Canada for having six pot plants," said Young. "That would only be as essential evidence that you are a drug trafficker and I think the people of Canada want drug traffickers to stop dealing drugs. They want it so crime doesn't pay and they want traffickers away from our schools and that's what this bill does." There was also debate over exactly how much this Crime Bill would cost Canadian taxpayers. Young said the cost was $78.6 million over five years. Berry said the cost had actually been reported at $3 billion. "The parliamentary budget officer said it is See Tough page 9 Fantasy The Benefits of an Easy-Flo Built-In Vacuum System · Priced Right! WORLD OF GOODS Liquidation Outlet This Weeks Special $ FOR ONLY · LIFETIME WARRANTY Durable components assure long life and solid performance · Super Quiet Ideal for homes of all sizes, as well as townhomes and condos · Compact Size Fits almost anywhere Electric Power Hose Power Head 9 Piece tool set Ideal replacement for centrals that are: > Noisy > Blowing dust > Lacking power > In need of repair ­ why repair when you can replace an existing system for a similar cost? 35 years in Oakville We Repair all Makes of Vacuum Cleaners & Sewing Machines INCLUDES FREE 399 VAPORIZERS & HUMIDIFIERS ALL 20% OFF Canadian Made · Unbeatable Pricing Look for our weekly specials on name brand housewares, small appliances, toys, fitness equipment and more New items weekly Open Tuesdays to Saturdays 9-5:30 pm 198 SPEERS RD. OAKVILLE 905-844-4736 Just west of Kerr Street, beside Money Mart OAKVILLE VACUUM LTD. Oakville's best kept secret for liquidation merchandise 427 Speers Road