The Conservative government introduced its omnibus law-and-order legislation today, demanding that it receive speedy passage through the parliamentary process.
The Tackling Violent Crime Act contains three of the five bills that didn't pass in the last session of Parliament.
They include a bill to impose mandatory minimum penalties for firearms crimes, a bill increasing the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14, and a bill that would place the onus of those accused of firearms offences to prove why they should receive bail.
A fourth bill, on drug-impaired driving, was still in a Commons committee. But it did not face any real opposition.
The main sticking point for the Opposition was a bill dealing with violent and sexual offenders.
"Under the proposed legislation those convicted of violent or sexual crimes three times or more will be required to show the court why they should not be designated as dangerous offenders," Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said Thursday.
He also said the age of consent for sexual activity would be raised from 14 to 16 years of age to "better protect young people from adult sexual predators."
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