Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is looking at mandatory minimum penalties and other related issues “as a key priority” in support of her criminal justice review, according to a spokeswoman. Liberals are looking to build exceptions to the mandatory minimum sentences in order to avoid unduly harsh penalties. ( PATRICK DOYLE / THE CANADIAN PRESS )OTTAWA—The Liberal government is studying the idea of building some wiggle room into the controversial convention of mandatory minimum sentences to avoid unduly harsh penalties in cases that don’t warrant them. “The main argument in favour of creating exceptions to the application of mandatory minimum penalties remains the need to avoid unjust and arbitrary punishment,” says the report, completed in March and recently disclosed under the Access to Information Act. In finding mandatory minimum sentences for certain firearms offences unconstitutional, the Supreme Court of Canada said last year that minimums amount to “a blunt instrument” that can result in a disproportionate sentence.

Source: thestar August 21, 2016 17:03 UTC