[LabComm] "Safe" streets legislation exposed as cynical political ploy, says James

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

- With no enforcement provisions or penalties, it's clear Premier is just playing politics -

Victoria - The "safe" streets legislation brought down by the BC Liberal government has been exposed as a cynical political ploy, NDP Leader Carole James said today.  James said it's clear the premier is just playing politics in the lead up to the next election.

"If this is the Premier's answer to concerns about crime and safety on our streets, he is really out of touch," said James.  "How can we take seriously a bill that doesn't even address the real problem of crime.  Clearly, in its rush to score political points by playing to peoples' fears, the government did not think through this bill very carefully.

"The public has very legitimate concerns about crime and safety on the streets.  But this legislation does absolutely nothing to address those concerns in real terms."

James said that under the BC Liberals crime rates are going up and the government has been unable to craft a real anti-crime strategy.  She said that government has cut the funding for the organized crime agency, downloaded police costs onto municipalities, and closed courthouses and correction centres.

"The Campbell government has failed to effectively fight crime," said James.  "At a time when crime rates are going up and when organized crime activity is on the rise, the government's answer has been to cut resources for police and community safety, to close courthouses, and cut mental health and addiction services.  That's wrong.  And it isn't fixed by this piece of toothless legislation.

"Now, when the RCMP reports that organized crime is eating away at the fabric of our society, Mr. Campbell's answer is to crack down on panhandlers.  His priorities are all wrong."

James said the NDP caucus will vote against the bill.

"The NDP is calling on the government to take a tough approach to crime by giving police the resources they need to protect public safety.  We're also calling the on the government to take seriously the startling growth in organized crime activity.  

"New Democrats will get tough on crime and get tough on the causes of crime.  We won't play games with the Premier and support a public relations exercise dressed up as a plan to make our street safer."

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