Canadian Justice Ministers Meet in Winnipeg To Discuss Tougher Sentences

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of justice and public safety met in Winnipeg last week to discuss issues relating to youth justice, drugs, organized crime, and policing.

The provincial ministers failed to reach agreement with their federal counterpart on how to pay for more police officers or on funding for legal aid.

However, there was agreement on many other issues.

Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson agreed to propose changes to the Criminal Code to make gang-related homicides automatically qualify for first-degree murder charges.

And the ministers agreed that it is necessary to reduce the 2-for-1 sentencing credit given for criminals remanded in custody while awaiting trial to a maximum of 1.5 months for every month of jail time served before trial.

There is no timeline for the proposed changes.

More from the November 17, 2007 Globe and Mail article Stiffer penalties for gang-related deaths sought - First-degree murder charges should be automatic, federal Justice Minister agrees, as provinces seek more tools to fight organized crime.