In the wake of the Jones arrest, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was asked what his government is doing to address this problem. He responded that his government would do more, but legislation to deal with fraudsters was being held up by the Opposition."Our government has been trying to strengthen the criminal justice system," Harper told reporters last week. "I do hope that this debate will open everybody's eyes, that these crimes have real victims. They may be not be victims of violence, but they are real victims who are suffering real pain and we should have a criminal justice system that responds accordingly."
The Conservatives frequently complain about opposition stalling when they introduce omnibus justice legislation. However, it's a tenuous allegation, and one that has turned the Tories into the party that cries wolf.
Harper infers continued white collar crime is the opposition's fault
Tue, 2009-08-04 12:29
#1
remind
Harper infers continued white collar crime is the opposition's fault
Wed, 2009-08-12 20:45
#2
Bloc Leader Duceppe demands tougher penalties for fraudsters
Minimum penalties for those convicted of fraud aren't tough enough, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said Wednesday as he urged the federal government to crack down on economic crimes.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jfI_QQJDInU...
"A sixth of a sentence - we don't want this to be given out automatically," he said.
Duceppe singled out Conservative cabinet ministers Christian Paradis and Jean-Pierre Blackburn, saying they have been inactive on this file.
"They still haven't done anything about this."
Duceppe said Blackburn has the power as revenue minister to aid the alleged victims of self-described financial planner Earl Jones.
Two weeks ago, Blackburn indicated that under "extraordinary circumstances" the Canada Revenue Agency can waive any penalties or interest absorbed by investors who are having trouble meeting their tax obligations.
Duceppe said Paradis, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Quebec lieutenant, has also offered little help.
"Mr. Paradis, in this case like in others, does not really come to the defence of victims of economic crimes," the sovereigntist leader said.
Duceppe also said he's waiting for a Conservative-Liberal committee report on employment insurance, which is expected by late September or early October.
He hopes that what he calls the "new coalition" will have solutions for the thousands of people who have lost their jobs.
But he says he's not holding his breath.
"It seems very clear, right now, that the Liberals have let people down," he said.
"(The Liberals), who said in a very emotional fashion that the unemployed couldn't make it through the summer, are satisfied with a phoney committee and have been squabbling - two or three times since the start of the summer - as the unemployed face the sad reality of losing their jobs."
He also predicts that an election will be called in October if Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff finally stops folding for Harper.
Wed, 2009-08-12 20:51
#3
remind
Hmmm, and here the rumours were Duceppe is stepping down, doesn't sound like it.
Thu, 2009-08-13 03:23
#4
True. It would be a bit inconsiderate, not to mention somewhat reckless, to pack it in just before a possible election. Perhaps he will wait until after the next election to retire.
I think he often puts off retiring because he is worried about the BQ losing support if he leaves. After every election there is always talk he will retire and he ends up staying on.
Fri, 2009-08-14 00:40
#5
Why won't the bloc run in the ROC...wish layton would speak out like that.