Hon. John McCallum, MP - Markham—Unionville

http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170090&Language=E

The Honourable John McCallum

Political Affiliation:Liberal Caucus

Constituency:Markham—Unionville Map – Elections Canada

Province / Territory:Ontario

Email:john.mccallum@parl.gc.ca

Web Site:johnmccallum.liberal.ca

Preferred Language:English

Hill Office
House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-996-3374
Fax: 613-992-3921
Mail may be sent postage-free to any Member of Parliament.

Constituency Office(s)
7750 Birchmount Road
Unit 21-22 Markham, Ontario
L3R 0B4
Telephone: 905-479-8100
Fax: 905-479-3440

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John McCallum Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question and I would raise two points.

First, we are opposed in principle to mandatory minimum sentences. Therefore, we are opposed to all the mandatory minimum sentences in this bill because we believe that judges should have discretion when making their decisions. As other members have said, mandatory minimum sentences can have the opposite effect because of negotiations between lawyers in the courts. Therefore we are opposed to this principle in the case she has mentioned as well as in general.

Second, in my opinion, six plants is not a huge number.

In more general terms, we are opposed to the principle of mandatory minimum sentences.

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Motions in Amendment
Safe Streets and Communities Act
Government Orders
November 29th, 2011 / 1:35 p.m.
Liberal

John McCallum Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice to the rising opposition to Bill C-10, which is perhaps best characterized as the Conservatives' most recent piece of dumb on crime legislation.

Our understanding of crime and the appropriate way to handle those who transgress the rules of our society has evolved over the past 400 years. We have moved from a time when criminality was commonly associated with witchcraft to a society that far better understands the root causes of crime and better ways to handle criminals.

I am truly dismayed to see the government completely ignore the work being done on these important topics. It seems to be taking us back to the middle ages. That is not just empty rhetoric. Why do I say that they are taking us back to the middle ages?
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