The federal Liberals are expected to introduce a bill in the House of Commons today that would revive a legislative push to repeal mandatory minimum penalties for drug offences.
The government gave a procedural heads-up on Friday that a bill to amend the Criminal Code and federal drug laws is to be introduced and Justice Minister David Lametti is scheduled to hold a news conference Tuesday morning.
It is expected to revive a previous bill tabled in February that failed to gain parliamentary approval before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kick-started an election campaign in August.
Get breaking National news
That bill would have allowed for greater use of conditional sentences, such as house arrest, counselling or treatment, for people who do not pose a threat to public safety.
- Road to the Referendum: Exploring Alberta separatism and the province’s place in Canada
- Poilievre calls for emergency debate as Canada enters technical recession
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay voted new leader of the BC Conservative Party
- Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster
At the time, Lametti said the bill was intended to redress the fact that too many lower-risk and first-time offenders were being imprisoned, often capturing a disproportionate number of Indigenous and Black people.
The new bill is one of several pieces of business scheduled for the House of Commons this week, including a push from the Opposition Conservatives to split a new pandemic aid bill in two so MPs could vote separately on support to businesses and workers.
The Liberals say they want the aid package approved before MPs go on their winter holiday break in two weeks.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.