Quebec: We’ll work to circumvent the new federal crime bill

MONTREAL – The debate isn’t over yet for the Conservative criminal justice legislation — at least not in Quebec.

The provincial government now says it will do everything within its power to limit the clout of the legislation that passed yesterday.

Because the provinces are responsible for applying the laws passed in Ottawa, Quebec says it will work to circumvent Bill C-10 where possible.

Some provinces, including Quebec, also say Ottawa should be responsible for paying for the new jail spaces that will be required as a result of the legislation. Quebec pegs the costs at $750 million for new prisons, and up to $80 million a year to apply the new rules.

Meanwhile, the provincial government in Quebec is taking heat from the separatist opposition for not being tough enough with the feds.

The Parti Quebecois says the recent debate proves that, in Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s Canada, Quebec no longer exists and the province’s concerns are ignored.

The new federal legislation increases sentences for drug and sex offenses, reduces the use of conditional sentences like house arrest, provides harsher penalties on young offenders, makes it harder to get a pardon, gives crime victims more say in parole hearings and allows victims of terrorism to sue.

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