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. 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, said Whitney Morrison, a spokeswoman for the minister. 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. It notes that mandatory sentences take many forms, but generally prescribe both the type of penalty and the minimum level of the sanction. The Conservatives would challenge any attempt by the Liberals to water down mandatory sentence provisions, Nicholson said.

Source: National Post August 21, 2016 18:00 UTC