(Queen’s Park) – Garfield Dunlop, P.C. Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, today criticized the McGuinty Liberals for leaving law-and-order issues off the legislative agenda since their election in October 2003.

“Not even one second of debate time in the Ontario legislature has yet been dedicated to any bill brought forward by the Minister,” said Dunlop. “This lack of attention sends a clear message that community safety is last on the Liberals’ list of priorities for Ontarians.”

Dunlop noted that Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, has introduced only three pieces of legislation as follows:

· June 23, 2004 – Bill 110 (An Act to require the disclosure of information to police respecting persons being treated for gunshot wounds);

· October 19, 2004 – Bill 128 (An Act to amend various Acts with respect to enforcement powers, penalties and the management of property forfeited, or that may be forfeited, to the Crown in right of Ontario as a result of organized crime, marijuana growing and other unlawful activities); and

· December 9, 2004 – Bill 159 (An Act to revise the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act and to make a consequential amendment to the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999)

Bill 110 was introduced a day before the end of the Spring Session, while Bill 159 was introduced a week before the end of the Fall Session, which ends today at 6 pm.

“Twice the Minister has tossed legislation in the House at the last minute before the legislature takes a break,” said Dunlop. “He wants to avoid being accused of doing nothing to address community safety issues – but police and fire fighters will soon tire of this tactic, as they continue to go without new funding from the McGuinty government.”

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)