Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced he is meeting with his federal counterpart Rob Nicholson in Ottawa on March 10, when he will propose changing the Criminal Code to ensure home invasions and car jackings are recognized as the violent offences they are.
“Manitobans and their families deserve to feel safe in their homes and their vehicles,” said Swan. “We believe these violent crimes are such violations of personal safety that they warrant special consideration under federal criminal law.”
The minister will be accompanied by Keith Atkinson, chief of the Brandon Police Service and president of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police.
Manitoba will also be advocating for the introduction of criminal penalties for possessing body armour and fortified buildings, and for mandatory minimum penalties for premeditated crimes involving knives.
“The federal government has opened its doors to us and our ideas on how we can improve federal law to better protect all Canadians,” Swan said. “I am pleased Minister Nicholson is meeting with us again to see how we can work together on these important issues.”
Manitoba’s past recommendations have led to the following changes in federal law:
• eliminating the two-for-one credit for time served in pre-trial detention;
• classifying gang-related homicides as first-degree murder under the Criminal Code;
• making drive-by shooting and shooting at a building indictable offences;
• strengthening laws to ensure more consequences for those who refuse a breathalyzer test; and
• doubling the maximum penalty for criminal harassment (stalking) to 10 years from five.
Manitoba will also continue to advocate for reform of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Swan said.
