Posted on 02/08/2006 7:42:20 AM PST by Clive
OTTAWA -- Raising the legal age for Canadians to have sex and toughening up prison terms for gun-toting criminals will be top legislative priorities for the new Conservative government, according to Justice Minister Vic Toews.
The Manitoba MP, a former attorney general in his home province, said the Conservative government would likely pace its law-and-order agenda instead of tabling a mammoth omnibus bill that could have trouble passing as a package.
"One of the issues I would like to see brought forward as quickly as possible is the age of protection, raising that from 14 to 16, and looking at bringing in a close-in-age exemption," Toews said.
"We don't want to criminalize consenting sexual conduct between youth; we want to protect young people from adult sexual predators. If we look at that, for example, as a stand-alone bill, that could be done fairly quickly."
GRITS BLOCKED MOTION
Last fall a Conservative motion to raise the age of consensual sex was defeated in a 169-100 vote. Former justice minister Irwin Cotler had urged fellow Liberals to vote against it because a child protection law already strengthened safeguards to stop the sexual exploitation of children.
Toews also said the Conservatives will band together with the NDP to boost mandatory minimum sentences for gun offences.
But the Tory pledge to abolish the controversial gun registry could move to the back burner in the wake of warnings from police chiefs.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day didn't directly say if the plan to cancel the controversial registry will proceed with the sweeping agenda to combat crime.
Yes, if 1 + 1 = 2, then 2 + 2 = 7....
It's not something I follow, really. I just knew of this site from another thread.
They upheld it (1986) before they overturned it (2003).
"They upheld it (1986) before they overturned it (2003)."
OK. Then I guess the age of 17 is the legal age there. Did you know that the age of consent in Hawaii used to be 13, until they raised not too long ago?
FYI.
Re post 4, the liberals did it. Are you surprised?
it is the jerks that use guns when holding up a store or mugging someone that are causing so many to scream for gun control. i know most states have longer sentences if a firearm is used in the commision of a crime, right? so make it automatic here.
Witness the people wounded and the teen girl killed on Yonge Street on Boxing when a firefight between gangs broke out amidst innocent shoppers on the busiest shopping day of the year and the 19 year old girl killed yesterday when she went to pick up her boyfriend after a basketball game and a child killed a few months ago while waiting for a bus.
It comes down to crappy fire discipline by people who know nothing about firearms other than if you pull the little dingus in front of the handle you get a loud noise and exciting things happen and you get to be a hero among the other thugs with whom you associate.
here in Kelowna we had someone wandering around town in the middle of the night (teens) shootin a pistol. i heard the shots and heard them laughing and yelling, they ended up 'just' blowing out the door on a shoe repair shop. cute.
I think issues so important should be the same as the age of majority which is 19 but the truth is, it would be unenforceable. A lot of parents can't control their 16 year olds now.
It's not about controlling 16 year olds; it's about controlling adults who should know better. If those adults were charged with statutory rape and sent to prison, they'd be an example of what not to do.
Only if it is consensual.
There can be no legal consent if a one of the partners is below the age of consent.
What I mean is that sex with a 16 year old is OK as long as that sex is consensual - it doesn't matter what kind of sex it is.
Under 16, yes, it is illegal regardless.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I think it should be higher than 16 if the older person is more than two years older.
Clive, perhaps the liberal politicans should have thought about "crime", gun, knife or otherwise, BEFORE they started importing criminals from Jamaica and many other places. The Liberals "easy and open door" immigration policy has had a LOT to do with the mega increase in these crimes. The Liberals CREATED this problem and now they want to punish those of us who have NEVER committed a crime. Gun safety courses are good to take but don't be expecting the "criminals" to enroll. What we have in Toronto, Vancouver and probably Montnreal are GANGS. Vancouver - Asian and Indo gangs; Toronto - Jamaican, Asian and God only knows what else gangs; Montreal - probably Arab gangs and we know they have Hells Angels as well. Immigration needs FAST FIXIN.!! CO
This law needs to be dome and I support it, but whaat I don't get is why is this the very first thing that the Conservatives are doing.... Is it THAT urgent? Someone very powerful must have had a daughter with an older boyfriend......
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