I don't think there's any question that the two bills you had before that address some of the challenges we have in this area. I'll remind you, as well, that in the Tackling Violent Crime Act we sent out the right message to people; that is, people who want to commit serious gun crimes in this country are looking at penitentiary time. They're looking at a five-year minimum sentence, meaning the judge can increase that. And if they don't get the message the first time, they can get seven years the next time for a whole wide range of serious gun crimes in this country. Getting these people off the street does break up the criminal enterprise and it sends out the right message.
In addition, you will know, having studied it very carefully, the changes that we've made to the bail provisions so that we are reversing the onus for people who have a record of a history of violence in using guns. We're putting the onus on them as to why they should be back out on the street. I've had police officers tell me that this is exactly what has to take place in this country, because it sends out the right message. The wrong message, if you are charged with a serious gun crime and you have a history of serious gun crimes, is if you're back out on the street in a couple of hours this has the effect of intimidating the witnesses. It intimidates the neighbourhood and it completely sends out the wrong message into our communities. They are among those who were the first to welcome initiatives in that area to change the bail provisions.
I can tell you, we received widespread support with respect to our mandatory jail times for people who commit serious gun crimes. But we're adding to that. We're adding to that people who get involved with serious drug crimes in this country. Again, we want to help the addict and the poor individual who finds him or herself addicted. We want to help that individual. But we're very clear to the people who are in the business of destroying people's lives, the people who like to sell these things to children and around schools, who think that the grow operation business is a great career opportunity, people who think a smart business move is to start importing drugs into this country. We send out a very clear message to them: you're going to jail if you get caught and convicted under these new laws. I think that's exactly what Canadians have been wanting to hear and have been waiting to hear from their government in Ottawa, and I'm pleased that we're delivering on that.