Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and justice minister Mickey Amery are calling on the federal government to repeal Bill C-5.
They want the federal government to bring back mandatory minimum jail sentences for drug-related crimes.
They also want Ottawa to cancel prosecution guidelines that direct federal lawyers to divert drug cases away from the courts. These guidelines tell prosecutors to focus only on the most serious offences.
However, if the federal government refuses, Alberta wants funding to permanently take over all drug prosecutions in the province.
Alberta criticizes federal drug policies
Premier Smith said the federal government’s policies have made the province’s streets more dangerous.
“For years, Alberta’s government has urged the federal government to reverse their soft-on-crime policies, which have allowed illegal drugs to flood our streets and for repeat offenders to prey on our most vulnerable,” she said.
Meanwhile, she warned Alberta will act if Ottawa does not.
“The federal government must act now and put an end to their insane policies. And if they refuse to, they must allow the Province of Alberta to take over all prosecutions under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act,” said Smith. “Let there be no mistake, Alberta’s government will find these dangerous criminals, prosecute them and keep them in jail where they belong.”
Alberta says Bill C-5 weakens the justice system
Alberta officials say Bill C-5 has made it harder to prosecute drug traffickers and violent offenders.
The bill eliminated all mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes. It also removed many mandatory sentences for serious weapons offences.
Police and prosecutors must now consider treatment programs instead of criminal charges for drug possession.
Amery said these policies put public safety at risk.
“Alberta is deeply concerned about the federal government’s failure to address the growing drug crisis in Canada,” said Amery.
“Federal prosecution directives and Bill C-5 have significantly weakened our justice system, allowing criminals and drug dealers to exploit loopholes while putting public safety and Canadian lives at risk.”
Alberta invests in border security
Drug-related crimes in Canada continue to rise. Trafficking is often linked to human smuggling, gun crimes and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has called on Canada to crack down on illegal border crossings and drug trafficking.
In response, Alberta launched a $29-million plan to improve border security. It includes a new Sheriff’s unit, a 51-officer Interdiction Patrol Team, and four K-9 patrol teams. The province also purchased 10 surveillance drones and four drug analyzers.
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