MONTREAL — The debate isn’t over yet for the Conservative government’s criminal justice legislation — at least not in Quebec.
The provincial government announced Tuesday that it would do everything in its power to limit the clout of the legislation that passed a day earlier.
Because the provinces are responsible for applying the laws passed in Ottawa, Quebec says it will work to soften Bill C-10 where possible.
The provincial minister said he will issue a directive to various players in the justice system to avoid applying the strictest provisions of the crime bill — particularly when it comes to youth offenders.
“It is not a plan to abolish C-10,” Jean-Marc Fournier told a news conference Tuesday inside a courtroom at Montreal’s youth courthouse.
“C-10 is a law, but we’ve also got laws in Quebec. We can make them work together.”
Some provinces, including Quebec, also say Ottawa should be responsible for paying for the new jail spaces that will be required.