On Tues. Nov. 22nd, all day and night, and Wed. Nov. 23rd, we will be focusing our calling efforts on the Conservative members of the Justice Committee. 

We will seek to convey the many, many reasons why this bill is unjust, unjust, unnecessary, and against the values of thinking, caring Canadians of all stripes.

Please be polite to their assistants, and if you get them on the phone,  remind them of the AVAAZ petition and LeadNow campaign, and that the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and the Governments of Ontario, Québec and Newfoundland are all opposed to Bill C-10. Please note that Conservative MPs are the ones to call first, it’s their reckless bill. MPs who already oppose the bill are listed below as well. You may call them too, if you wish, but know that they are our allies against the omnibus crime bill C-10.

Be an OMNIBUSTER. It Could Get Worse – Don’t Let it! Thank you!

Dave MacKenzie, Committee Chair (CALL THIS GUY! It’s his boss’s bill that will make more jails and longer sentences, putting more people in jail for non-violent crime. Tie up his phone, tell him everything you can about the injustice of the punitive system. He should know better, he’s a former police chief.) Conservative, Oxford, Ontario Telephone: 613-995-4432  EMail: dave.mackenzie@parl.gc.ca

Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Committee Member, (Take her to task! Shame on Findlay for ignoring the facts!) Conservative, Delta-Richmond East, BC Telephone: 613-992-2957  EMail: Kerry-Lynne.Findlay@parl.gc.ca

Robert Goguen, Committee Member (APPELLE-LUI: il n’est pas acceptable que le député acadien soutienne le projet seulement parce qu’ils vont construire leurs prisons au N-B!) Conservative, Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, NB Telephone: 613-992-8072 EMail: Robert.Goguen@parl.gc.ca

Brian Jean, Committee Member (ALBERTANS: Call this MP and lay into him for supporting a bill that even Texas Republicans say is wrong and outdated!) Conservative, Fort McMurray – Athabasca, Alberta Telephone: 613-992-1154 EMail: brian.jean@parl.gc.ca

Brent Rathgeber, Committee Member (Again: Call him, tell him what you think about this punishment-obsessed bill and its rash financial consequences: C-10 is fiscally irresponsible!) Conservative, Edmonton-St. Albert, Alberta Telephone: 613-996-4722  EMail: brent.rathgeber@parl.gc.ca

Kyle Seeback, Committee Member (The Province of Ontario says it won’t fund this bill, tell Kyle to get with the programme and dump C-10!) Conservative, Brampton West, Ontario Telephone: 613-995-5381  EMail: Kyle.Seeback@parl.gc.ca

Stephen Woodworth, Committee Member (Again, Ontarians know better: C-10 is a waste of time, a waste of money, and a waste of peoples’ lives!) Conservative, Kitchener Centre, Ontario Telephone: 613-995-8913 EMail: stephen.woodworth@parl.gc.ca

MPs who ALREADY OPPOSE Bill C-10 and are working to stop it from becoming law (not a priority for calling, but feel free to send e-mails of support!):

Irwin Cotler, Committee Vice-Chair (He is trying to stop Bill C-10, we like him!) Liberal, Mount Royal, Quebec Telephone: 613-995-0121 Fax: 613-992-6762 EMail: irwin.cotler@parl.gc.ca

Charmaine Borg NDP (Terrebonne—Blainville), Committee Member (Like Omnibuster Laurin Liu, Charmaine is a younger member of the caucus. She has publicly blasted the bill’s proponents for trying to pass it through too quickly, and with little to no public consultation or respect democratic process. Go Charmaine!)
Telephone: 613-947-4788
Fax: 613-947-4879
EMail: Charmaine.Borg@parl.gc.ca

Jack Harris (NDP), M.P. for St. John’s East (Justice Critic for Official Opposition). Jack Harris is one of the leaders of the Opposition, and has stood against Bill C-10 in every possible way, including fighting its proposals clause by clause in committee. Bravo, Jack, Omnifilibusterer! Telephone: 613-996-7269 EMail: jack.harris@parl.gc.ca

Pierre Jacob, Committee Member (Totally against Bill C-10. Don’t give him a hard time! Comme Dany Morin, Laurin Liu, Irwin Cotler, il est déjà contre le projet de loi C-10) NDP, Brome-Missisquoi, Quebec Telephone: 613-947-8185 Fax: 613-947-8188 EMail: Pierre.Jacob@parl.gc.ca

Marlo was going to be part of our first batch of Omnibuster videos, but something came up, so she drafted this letter to the Chair of the Parliamentary Justice Committee, Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie. Call him. Write him. Now. It works. Thank you, Marlo!

It Could Get Worse – Don’t let it!

letter to: 

Dave MacKenzie, MP (and Justice Committee Chair)
Federal, Conservative
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-995-4432
Email: dave.mackenzie@parl.gc.ca

November 22, 2011

Dear Mr. MacKenzie,

I am writing to register my deep concern and dismay over the proposed Omnibus Bill C-10, an Act to enact the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act and to amend the State Immunity Act, the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other Acts.

I join with the thousands of other Canadians who have signed the petitions at Avaaz.org and Leadnow.ca, members of leading non-profit organizations, the Canadian Bar Association, and I am also bolstered by our elected representatives in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.

I oppose this bill for three reasons and am inspired by young activists in Montreal working on a campaign called “It could get worse…don’t let it” to simplify my reasons as follows:

1) There’s no policy, money, or thought to prevention and education in the bill. Safer housing and help with mental health and drug addiction are the REAL efforts that help keep crime rates low
2) It’s too expensive! It costs over $100,000 a year to keep someone in prison.
3) The social costs are WAY too high. Putting people in prison creates criminals, not communities.

As a young woman with over fifteen years experience in management in the non-profit sector, I know that there are many complex social issues to sort through when it comes to creating safe, healthy communities. What would our country look like if everyone who had mental health challenges, addictions, or who were struggling with the compounded effects of poverty and discrimination of various forms, were given an equal shot at having a vibrant life? I’m deeply upset that this bill proposes threatens to criminalize those who need and deserve special care.

What would you want for your children, your grandchildren? To be sent to prison, or to have a chance to learn about reducing risks in their lives and those of others, a chance at reconciliation and healing?

I implore you to do everything in your power as Chair of the Justice Committee to engage with leading experts, who are working in the best interests of all citizens, and to revise this bill significantly.

The health of our communities and freedom of our youth depends on your actions.

Sincerely,

Ms. Marlo Turner Ritchie
BA in Humanities and Social Sciences
Youth Activist

Omnibuster Mark Slutsky, writer/film-maker/wit for It Could Get Worse

Marky Slutsky is our first Omnibuster with an IMDB entry! Long known for his pithy food writing and discerning film criticism, Mark took a break from writing and editing to tell us why “Bill C-10 scares me, and why it should scare you too.” Check out his work on Vimeo here. “Call your MP and tell them that Bill C-10 is a waste of time, a waste of money, and it’s a waste of people’s lives.” Omnibusted!

Sign the the petition, write and call your Member of Parliament now: tell them you oppose Bill C-10!

It could get worse—don’t let it!

Omnibusters Jordan Arseneault, Jason C. McLean and Chris Zacchia were interviewed on CKUT‘s Tuesday Morning After about the project. Have a listen:

Omnibusters on CKUT’s Tuesday Morning After

KILL BILL C-10 banner by Omnibuster G Tucker for It Could Get Worse

When not signing petitions, writing to Members of Parliament, and making videos, Omnibusters are at home sewing and designing!

Omnibuster Geoffrey Tucker made this banner for us to use in any future public actions we may undertake, such as this Thursday, inspired by LeadNow.ca‘s day of actions planned for Nov. 24, in ridings in British Columbia and across the country.

Designed by illustrator Jen MacCormack for LeadNow, the gorgeous flyer invites Canadians to stand against the crime bill by wearing a cowboy hat in demos outside their MP’s riding offices. The cowboy theme refers of course to journalist Terry Milewski’s damning report on Texan legislators urging the Canadian government NOT to make the same mistakes they did, and to take a hard look at the social and fiscal costs of a prison and punishment-based system. It Could Get Worse – Don’t let it!

LeadNow.ca's Demo Flyer for Nov 24, 2011 by Jen MacCormack

Nightlife.ca published a piece on Bill C10 by Mark Ambrose Harris mentioning what It Could Get Worse and other groups are doing to fight it. Here’s an excerpt:

It’s no secret that our current government is keen on pouring money into building new prisons. However, if you haven’t yet heard about the draconian bill, it’s chock-full of scary stuff that would cause a fundamental shift in Canada’s criminal justice system. The litany is too lengthy to outline here, but some of its agenda points include new and increased mandatory minimum sentences, alterations that would further challenge Canadians detained abroad trying to serve their sentences back home…

You can read the full post on Nightlife.ca

Omnibuster Jordan Arseneault, Magazine Editor

Omnibuster Jordan Arseneault, (from Saint John, NB), is an editor, translator and out gay man. He gives you three important reasons to oppose the so-called “Safe Streets and Communities Act”:

1) There’s no policy, money, or thought to prevention in the bill. Safer housing and help with mental health and drug addiction are the REAL efforts that help keep crime rates low;
2) It’s too expensive! It costs over $100,000 a year to keep someone in prison!
3) The social costs are WAY too high. Putting people in prison builds prisons, not communities!

Sign the petition, write and call your Member of Parliament now: tell them you oppose Bill C-10!

It could get worse—don’t let it!

Omnibuster Antonio Bavaro, Student

Omnibuster Antonio Bavaro hails from Sherwood Park, Alberta. He comes out against the Omnibus Crime Bill C-10 because “putting our youth in jail for longer periods of time keeps them away from their families, communities, and responsibilities, and makes it harder for them to reintegrate into our society. The Omnibus Crime will NOT make our communities, our families, and our youth safer.”

Sign the petition, and call your Member of Parliament now: tell them you oppose Bill C-10!
It could get worse—don’t let it!

Omnibuster Heather Lewenza: "Omnibus Crime Bill: TOUGH TO SWALLLOW"

Heather Lewenza is an interior designer and DIY diva originally from Windsor, Ontario. She has it out for the Omnibus Crime Bill C-10, and we are thrilled to have her as our first #OMNIBUSTER!

Sign the petition, and call your Member of Parliament now: tell them you oppose Bill C-10!
It could get worse—don’t let it!

BE AN OMNIBUSTER!

On Saturday, Nov. 19, It Could Get Worse filmed 11 videos which we will be putting online this week to oppose the cruel omnibus crime bill C-10.

Here are just a few of the amazing outspoken Omnibusters who took a stand against criminalization, propaganda, and fear.

Mark Slutsky, Food + film writer, film-maker, and very bon vivant

Marky Slutsky is our first Omnibuster with an IMDB entry! Long known for his pithy food writing and discerning film criticism, Mark’s recent film credits include the hilarious Peepers, and 2005’s The Recommendations. Check out his work on Vimeo here. “Call your MP and tell them that Bill C-10 is a waste of time, a waste of money, and it’s a waste of people’s lives.”

Omnibuster Eric L. Sicotte, B.A., Hon., LL.B, CEO, Apollo l'Agence & Sicotte Recrutement

Eric Sicotte is fearless recruiter, networker, and the founder/CEO of Apollo l’Agence, whose Loft le 4ième hosted our video shoot. Eric is particularly appalled at how the Conservatives repealed the Long Gun registry, and yet claim that they are concerned with fighting crime. “Rather than deal with the real problems of poverty and discrimination, the Conservative government is inventing imaginary problems,” such as the crime problem, when in fact Canada’s crime rate is the lowest it has been in over 20 years.  It Could Get Worse is grateful for Eric Sicotte‘s support in opposing the Omnibus Crime Bill C-10.

Omnibuster Jason C McLean, writer, actor, improvisor, Forget the Box

Jason C. McLean is a Montréal-based actor, writer and activist. He is the editor-in-chief and a co-founder of Forget The Box and also helped to found the Montreal Infringement Festival. Jason is also one of the people who helped get the It Could Get Worse project rolling. In his video, he speaks of how this bill will funamentally change the logical and compassionate approach to justice Canada is known for around the world.

Sign the petition, call your MP and tell them to vote NO on the Omnibus Crime Bill C-10: It Could Get Worse – Don’t let it!