CANADIANS WANT TOUGH GANG LAWS

Canadians support tougher anti-gang laws but only 45% say the country
has a gang problem, according to a nationwide survey released yesterday.

The poll, commissioned by Angus Reid, queried 1,007 people on Feb. 26
and 27 across the country after the federal government introduced
tougher anti-gang legislation and the recent explosion in gang
violence in the lower B.C. mainland.

The legislation tabled last month would make gang-related homicides
automatic first-degree murder charges and impose mandatory sentences
on drive-by shootings. The bill also increases sentences for
assaulting police officers with a weapon or causing bodily harm.

When confronting gangs, there's "this feeling you can deal with it,
you need to have stronger punishment and so on," said Mario Canseco,
Angus Reid vice-president for public affairs.

LEGALIZE POT

"But there's also this other side to it where marijuana is not being
perceived as a drug," he said.

Half of the people polled, 51% in Ontario, said they'd support
legalizing marijuana.

There's a divide among people about marijuana and other drugs, Canseco said.

The drugs are not seen "in the same light" although the trade in the
illegal substances supports gang activity, he said.

Support for legalizing other drugs including heroin or crack was much
lower, the poll showed.

"We seem to be confusing the two issues," Canseco said. "On the one
hand, we want to punish gangsters and you want to make it tougher for
them to get out of jail, to make any gang-related homicide a
first-degree murder charge and so on. But when it comes to actual
drug use, marijuana is still seen in a different light from all of
the other drugs."

That's a concept York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge scoffs at
because marijuana is considered a major currency among Canadian
organized-crime groups.

Canadian marijuana is shipped into the U.S. and swapped on a
dollar-for-dollar basis for cocaine and guns, a Toronto cop said.

The poll, which has a 3.1% margin of error 19 times out of 20, showed
45% of all Canadians believe the country has a serious gang problem
and it affects the whole country. In Ontario, 42% agree.

Making any gang-related homicide a first-degree murder charge struck
an accord among 93% of those polled across Canada and 94% in Ontario.
Also, 94% of Canadians say there should be mandatory sentences for
serious drug crimes and drive-by shootings.

The poll gives politicians an endorsement of the tabled legislation,
Canseco said.

CRIME POLL

Ontario poll results on gangs and crime legislation:

Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?

- - Canada has a serious gang problem and it affects the whole country 42%

- - Canada's gang problem is confined to specific areas and people 53%

- - Canada does not have a serious gang problem 3%

- - Not sure 3%

Do you support or oppose each of these measures to deal with crime?
"Strongly support" and "Moderately support" listed.

- - Ensuring mandatory minimum prison sentences for serious
drug-crimes, such as drive-by shootings 95%

- - Making any gang-related homicide a first-degree murder charge 94%

- - Loosening the evidence disclosure law to allow for a speedy
prosecution of gang members 80%

- - Eliminating the sentencing provision that grants offenders two days
credit for every one day spent in custody awaiting trial 79%

- - Allowing law enforcement officials to have wiretap access to
intercept cell phone conversations and other wireless communications 64%

SOURCE: ANGUS REID STRATEGIES