Paragraph 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code identifies particularly specialized sentencing considerations with respect to aboriginal offenders. Often aboriginal offenders are removed from communities and main centres and are living on reserves in rural areas, far from particular places where drug treatment courts are available. Judges are required to take into account the particular background and circumstances that we're aware of with respect to, for example, aboriginal offenders. According to this bill and the application for mandatory minimum sentences, those who are most disadvantaged--addicts and those types of offenders--would receive disproportionate sentences, whereas according to the sentencing regime in place right now, judges could take into account and balance all those factors.
