Crime, and Visions for Canada

http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/Crime/article/460704

The country's annual bill for policing, courts and incarceration – an estimated $13 billion excluding provincial costs – is about to jump. And rather than make neighbourhoods safer, the opposite is likely: troubled communities figure to get worse.
Propelling Canadians down this road – one proven to be monstrously expensive and inept at reducing crime in the United States – are seriously flawed perceptions of crime and punishment.

That about sums it up. The Tory vision of Canada: A government which won't lift a finger to tackle the environment or poverty, but will gleefully slash billions from the federal coffers, and burn cash to prove a point to its socially conservative base by importing failed policies. In Harper's Canada, throwing people in jail for a single marijuana plant is a more important priority then moving Canada's economy into the 21st century. In Harper's Canada, government is reduced to a tax collector, rather then the force for social good limited government intervention can be. In Harper's Canada, law and order is reduced to a brute fist, rather then a protector of about common society and individual rights.

When an election comes (likely this fall) Canadians will be presented with a choice, between two Canada's. One Canada is a regressive, deficit ridden, determinedly backwards looking land, while One Canada is a richer, greener, fairer Canada, one of open minds, open hearts, and proudly standing together towards oncoming history, ensuring a future for people and communities across this great country. The people of Mississauga, and of all of Canada, cannot afford to fall behind.