Supreme Court strikes down 2 Conservative sentencing reforms

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that two key "tough on crime"measuresbrought in by the previousConservative government are unconstitutional.

In the first case, the court ruled 6-3 that a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison for a drug offence violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

• Top court hears sentencing challenge
• 1-year sentence for drugs 'cruel and unusual'

It centres on Joseph Ryan Lloyd, a man with drug addictions inVancouver's Downtown Eastside, who was convicted of trafficking after police caught him in 2013 with less than 10 grams of heroin, crack cocaine and crystalmethamphetamine.

The court ruled the sentence cast too wide anet over a wide range of potential conduct,catchingnot only the serious drug trafficking that is its proper aim, but also conduct that is "much less blameworthy. "

"If Parliament hopes to maintain mandatory minimum sentences for offences that cast a wide net, it should consider narrowing their reach so that they only catch offenders that merit that mandatory minimum sentence," the decision reads. "In the alternative, Parliament could provide for judicial discretion to allow for a lesser sentence where the mandatory minimum would be grossly disproportionate and would constitute cruel and unusual punishment."

The dissenting view argued that the law as drafted was narrow enough, andthat it did not amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

Omnibus bill

The sentence imposed stemmed from the so-called "omnibus crime bill" brought in by the StephenHarper government in 2012. The Safe Streets and Communities Act, also known as C10, made sweeping changes to Canada's criminal justice system, including mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders.

On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeausaid the Liberal approach to criminal justice is to protect public safety while respecting rights. He said mandatory minimums are appropriate in some conditions, and noted that past Liberal governments have imposed them for certain crimes like murder.

Trudeau on Supreme Court's mandatory minimum sentences ruling

8 years ago

Duration 1:22

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was speaking today in Waterloo, Ont.

"At the same time, there is a general sense, reinforced by the Supreme Court decision, that mandatory minimums brought in by the previous government in a number of cases went too far," he said after an event in Waterloo, Ont.

A mandate letter fromTrudeauto Justice MinisterJodyWilson-Raybouldcalled for an overhaul of the measures brought in by the Conservatives.

"You should conduct a review of the changes in our criminal justice system and sentencing reforms over the past decade with a mandate to assess the changes, ensure that we are increasing the safety of our communities, getting value for money, addressing gaps and ensuring that current provisions are aligned with the objectives of the criminal justice system," the letter reads.

Conservative deputy justice critic Michael Cooper said he hopes the Liberals don't use today's decisions as a licence to roll back other Conservative measures that were brought in to hold "violent, hard-core" criminals to account.

He said he's disappointed by the high court's decision to overturn measures meant to keep streets safe.

"Canadians lose confidence in the criminal justice system when the sentence doesn't fit the crime," he told CBC News.

SCC delivers blow to Conservative's 'tough on crime' measures

8 years ago

Duration 9:51

MPs Sean Casey, Michael Cooper and Sheila Malcolmson discuss the Supreme Court rulings striking down a mandatory minimum sentence and a measure limiting credit for time served awaiting sentencing.

Credit for time served

In the other case, the Supreme Court was unanimous in rulingthat a person who isdenied bail because of prior convictions should be able to receive credit for time served before sentencing.

Normally, a person denied bail can get1.5 days of credit for each day spent in pre-sentence custody, reflecting what are often harsh conditions with a lack of access to programs.

Under sentencing reforms introduced by the Conservatives in 2009, a person denied bail because of a previous conviction is not eligible for enhanced credit.

'Ineffective, costly and unjust'

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which acted as an intervener in both cases, applauded the rulings.

Staff lawyer Laura Track called mandatory minimum sentences "ineffective, costly and unjust."

"Judgesmust be able to weigh all of the evidence and decide on a fair sentence that fits the crime," she said in a release. "Mandatory minimums take away judges' ability to do just that."