Indian-origin MP advocates tough stand against criminals

"The system of justice in Canada is lenient and it is like a revolving door, where criminals enter from one side and move out from the other. The judicial system needs to be toughened," feels Parm Gill of Indian origin, who is Conservative Party's member of Canadian parliament from Brampton Springdale constituency.

"The system of justice in Canada is lenient and it is like a revolving door, where criminals enter from one side and move out from the other. The judicial system needs to be toughened," feels Parm Gill of Indian origin, who is Conservative Party's member of Canadian parliament from Brampton Springdale constituency.

"So our party is going tough on the criminals," said 38-year-old Moga-born Gill, representing a constituency of 5.23 lakh population of which one-third belongs to Indian community, predominantly Punjabis.
Brampton, among other cities in Canada, is called Punjab away from Punjab, where Indians own every third house.

As a number of gangs had taken root in Canada and Ontario province, of which Brampton is part, is also fighting the menace, the Conservative Party has introduced C-394 bill in the provincial assembly, which proposes enactment of strong laws for anyone proved of recruiting other persons into a gang. "At least six months of imprisonment for such person and it would not be easy going for criminals in Canada."

This is bad news for those from Punjabi community indulging in gang wars. In recent times, there has been a spurt of gang wars involving Indians, especially Punjabis.
Gill, who shot into fame for his tough stand against same-sex marriage and defeated Ruby Dhalla, three-time MP from the constituency, faces the charge that the Conservative Party is going the Texas way and polarising society by announcing tough measures against criminals.

"No we are not polarising society, neither going the Texas way, but are making efforts that the law be taken seriously and there are stricter ways to implement it so that no one can take it easy after committing a crime," Gill said. "I think fighting for the rights of a victim is everyone's duty," he reiterated.

When asked about the need to have a special law related to recruitment in gangs, he said, "Most crimes are organised, either related to drugs or weapons, so our idea is not to let these gangs take shape, just suppress and liquidate them at the initial stage."
Replying to a debate in Canada that Conservatives are enacting laws that would take away discretionary powers out of the purview of the judicial system, Gill said, "Not exactly, but we are making punishment mandatory for every crime."

The local Indian population has a grouse against their elected representative that south Asians are not given government jobs. Gill accepted the fact saying job seekers from south Asia are unable to avail the job avenues at the right time. "I hope to see second-generation south Asians in government jobs, in a decade or so," he said.