In this case, yes, we need more police

The incoherence on 'white collar crime' is amazing.

Last week the Conservatives suggested that getting rid of conditional sentences would be enough. Now, see story below, they want to fiddle with the parole system.

Surely the Minister of Justice is aware that day release from the Federal system is not determined by the sentencing judge but rather by the Federal Parole Board? So sentencing guidelines are irrelevant. Change the parole guidelines if you wish but judges -- save in some homicide cases and long term offender cases -- have no input on parole.

But let's overlook the legal structures as to who releases. Let's see what could have a limiting effect on fraud.

White collar crime -- unlike virtually all other crime -- is largely rational. So it can be deterred. But what deters is (mainly) not a longer sentence but rather the likelihood of detection and arrest.

So, here, more police makes very good sense. If we increase the level of funding and expertise of fraud squads across the country (making no change at all in the statute law) there will be a real and immediate decline in white collar crime.

Normally I suggest a "law and order" agenda is misguided. In this case, more police and resources makes sense. What doesn't make sense is ad hoc plans to tinker.

Ottawa vows crackdown on white-collar crime

Conservatives to impose mandatory sentences on fraudsters, Nicholson says

Daniel Leblanc and Greg McArthur

Ottawa— The Globe and Mail
The Harper government is preparing a bill to toughen laws dealing with white-collar crime for the fall session, hoping to assuage the concerns of Canadians who are worried about losing their lifesavings to fraud schemes.

The Conservatives are planning to impose mandatory sentences for white-collar criminals and to prevent them from leaving jail after serving only one-sixth of their sentences, as is common for non-violent crimes.

"We give guidance [to judges] on maximum sentences, and I think it is appropriate to give guidance on minimum sentences as well," Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said during a conference call with reporters Thursday.

James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4

416 225 2777