I think that everybody probably knows that the “tough on crime” model has not done anything in this country or in any country to lower crime rates or to keep people safe. I listened intently to Chief Montour talk about the issues that are plaguing his community. I can't speak to the individual or specific issues in that community, but something that did strike me was the comment that serious drug trafficking has gotten worse and violent crime has gotten worse.
I thought to myself, all of that has happened under the guise of increased mandatory minimum sentences for violent offences through successive “tough on crime” models being imposed, and what do we have to show for it? We have overcrowded jails, money spent on incarcerating people and not keeping Canadians safe in the end. I think, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.