Ottawa asking Canadians to weigh in on sentencing reform

OTTAWA – The Justice Department wants to know what Canadians think of changing some of the former Conservative government’s controversial tough-on-crime sentencing legacy, including mandatory minimum penalties.

An online survey asks respondents to judge several unique scenarios, such as a brain-damaged offender whose condition leads to poor decision-making skills, or a single mother whose children were placed in foster care after her arrest.

Once respondents choose a course of action, the survey notes that currently, a judge would have no choice but to imprison the convicted offender for a minimum period of time.

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The Liberals have promised legislative changes to mandatory minimum sentences, but keep pushing the timeline back and now expect to act this fall.

Criminal defence lawyer Michael Spratt said he is concerned the survey means the Liberal government plans to use public opinion, rather than evidence, to shape justice policy.

But a spokeswoman for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says the survey, which was not crafted by her office, is part of a broader effort to engage the public on such issues.