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<http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_crimepay20031126>
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Crime really doesn't pay: new legislation

WINNIPEG - New provincial legislation aims to take the profitability out of
organized crime.

The NDP's Criminal Property Forfeiture Act is a two-pronged attack on
property used by members of criminal organizations to commit crimes and
property obtained with proceeds of crime. The bill would allow police to
launch civil proceedings against a person who is deemed a member of a
criminal organization.

To avoid a seizure, people would either have to prove that they were not
gang members, or prove that they earned enough to buy the property
legitimately.

"The legislation presumes that if you're a gang member, your property is
proceeds of crime and subject to seizure and forfeiture," says Justice
Minister Gord Mackintosh.

If property is seized, the province can sell it and use the money to fund
Legal Aid or help victims of crime.


"It recognizes the unique dynamics, the methods, used by criminal
organizations in hiding their money, and quite frankly, that this
presumption is necessary," he says. "We think that this can make all the
difference in terms of providing one more tool in the tool box for law
enforcement agencies in Manitoba to counter the threat of organized crime."

If passed, Mackintosh says the bill would make Manitoba the most
inhospitable province in Canada for organized crime.



On 12/3/2003 at 4:24 PM Leon wrote:

>Organization: Forfeiture Endangers American Rights  http://www.fear.org/
>FEAR also offers a low-volume announcements list and digests for all lists
>
>[Canada may yet catch up with the USA's progressive justice system. Leon]
>
><http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/11/26/mangangs031126>  
>
>Manitoba introduces Canada's 'toughest' anti-gang bill
>Last Updated Thu, 27 Nov 2003 8:55:18
>
>WINNIPEG - The government of Manitoba has introduced legislation that it
is

>calling the toughest anti-gang measures in Canada.
>
>    * INDEPTH: Biker Gangs
>
>The proposed law allows police to seize the assets of any member of a
>criminal organization, whether convicted or not. The onus would then be on
>the suspect to prove the assets are not the proceeds of crime.
>
>A suspect's home, car, and even cash can be seized as long as a judge is
>shown proof the individual belongs to a criminal group.
>
>The Criminal Property Forfeiture Act is a two-pronged attack on property
>used by members of criminal organizations to commit crimes and property
>obtained with proceeds of crime.
>
>If passed, Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh says, the bill would make
>Manitoba the most inhospitable province for organized crime. "It
recognizes
>the unique dynamics, the methods used by criminal organizations in hiding
>their money.
>
>"And quite frankly, this presumption is necessary. We think that this can
>make all the difference in terms of providing one more tool in the tool

box
>for law enforcement agencies in Manitoba to counter the threat of
organized
>crime," said Mackintosh.
>
>The bill would allow police to launch civil proceedings against a person
>who is deemed a member of a criminal organization. If property is seized,
>the province can sell it and use the money to fund Legal Aid or help
>victims of crime.
>
>Similar laws exist in New Jersey and in the Republic of Ireland. 
>
>
>Organization: Forfeiture Endangers American Rights  http://www.fear.org/
>FEAR also offers a low-volume announcements list and digests for all lists
>List update: mailto:owner-fear-talk@mapinc.org?Subject=FEAR-talk-update
>List unsubscribe: mailto:fear-talk-request@mapinc.org?Body=unsubscribe




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