PRINCE GEORGE – Federal member of parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, Dick Harris and BC/Yukon Caucus Chair pointed out a disturbing trend since Parliament resumed late January.

“The Liberals and NDP MPs have been working together to protect criminals at the expense of their victims.  In only two short weeks,” said Harris, “both parties have confirmed that they’re soft on crime on multiple occasions, including last night’s critical vote on legislation that would’ve seen the end to criminals getting out of prison after serving a mere one sixth of their sentence.”

Harris explained that last night the NDP and Liberals joined forces in a failed attempt to block legislation to end early parole for white collar criminals.  Last week, the Liberals pulled their support for legislation to impose mandatory prison sentences for drug crimes, including protecting producers and traffickers of GHB, the date-rape drug. 

“These coalition partners seize every attempt possible to protect the criminal and, by doing so, continually punish the victims.  The NDP has attempted to remove every single reference to victims in crime from our bill to amend the International Transfer of Offenders Act and they even forced a parliamentary committee to hear from witnesses who think that child rapists don’t necessarily need to go to prison.  This is morally unconscionable,” declared Harris.