The federal government has passed legislation proposed by Manitoba to help police and prosecutors fight organized crime and gang violence and support Manitoba’s anti-gang efforts, Attorney General Dave Chomiak said in welcoming the changes.
“Organized crime is a serious threat to communities across this province,” Chomiak said. “All levels of government must do their part and work together to combat this significant issue.”
The new federal legislation amended the Criminal Code to:
• Make murders connected to gangs and other criminal organizations automatically first-degree offences subject to mandatory sentences of life imprisonment without parole for 25 years.
• Create an offence to address drive-by and other reckless shootings that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison. If the crime is committed for a criminal organization, the minimum increases.
• Allow peace bonds to impose court-ordered conditions on gang members that will make it more difficult for them to engage in gang crime.
These changes were proposed by Manitoba’s special counsel on organized crime who was appointed by the attorney general. The special counsel’s office conducted extensive research and consulted with more than 120 organized crime experts from across Canada and two U.S. states.
Manitoba has also been a strong advocate for tougher measures to protect police officers, prosecutors and other justice system participants, Chomiak said.
New offences of aggravated assault against a peace or public officer and assault with a weapon on a peace or public officer have also been established as part of these Criminal Code amendments. They are punishable by maximum penalties of 14 and 10 years respectively. Sentencing enhancements were also made for offences committed against justice system participants.
These Criminal Code changes complement provincial and inter-provincial efforts to defeat and discourage organized crime and illegal activities, said Chomiak. They include:
• establishing a new provincial unit to focus exclusively on seizing profits from unlawful acts and property bought with those profits;
• effectively using Manitoba’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which has resulted in the closure of more than 370 drug houses, brothels and properties used for activities that threaten public safety;
• targeting fortified gang houses and other buildings under the Fortified Buildings Act;
• creating more Lighthouse sites to offer youth recreational opportunities and a positive alternative to gangs or other criminal activities;
• developing personalized intervention plans to connect youth with community supports prior to their release from custody; and
• working collaboratively with the Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP through the Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force, the Criminal Organization High Risk Probation Unit and the RCMP Integrated Gang Intelligence Unit.
“In May, the province hosted a conference on organized crime that brought together 85 Crown attorneys and police officers from Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia,” Chomiak said. “Working together, with each partner doing their share, we can provide the unified approach that can make a difference in our communities.”
