July 03, 2008
Tackling Violent Crime Act Comes Into Force
"For years now, we have recognized the serious concerns of Canadians who feel the victims of crime are given far less consideration than offenders. That's why our Government has worked tirelessly to make these legislative changes, even while facing barriers and opposition along the way," explains Benoit.
“Now, if you are caught driving impaired, you will be held fully accountable for your actions,” explains Benoit. “We are giving police better tools to detect and investigate drug-impaired driving, and toughening penalties for impaired driving. And, the Act also now allows for more effective sentencing and monitoring to prevent dangerous, high-risk offenders from offending again.”
Drivers caught under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will now:
- face a maximum life sentence if they cause death, and a maximum 10-year sentence if they cause bodily harm, when their blood alcohol levels exceeds .08;
- be charged with a criminal offence if they refuse or fail to comply with a demand to provide for physical sobriety tests or bodily fluid samples;
- find it more difficult to get off on such stories as “I only had two beers.”; and
- face tougher mandatory minimum penalties such as:
- $1000 for a first offence; and
- a sentence of 30 days in jail for a second offence.
- Better protection for youth from adult sexual predators by increasing the age of protection for sexual activity from 14 years to 16 years;
- Tougher mandatory jail time for serious gun crimes; and
- New bail provisions which require those accused of serious gun crimes to show why they shouldn’t be kept in jail while awaiting trial.
