The Conservative government’s omnibus crime bill, Bill C-10, passed last week and the government’s decision is already being met with loud criticism.
In Ottawa, Obert Madondo, a former Occupy Ottawa protester, has kicked off an indefinite hunger strike from his apartment in the ByWard Market to protest what he calls the Conservative’s draconian agenda.
Madondo, originally from Zimbabwe, said he’s worried about the state of Canada under Conservative control.
“[Canadians] have been subjected to such tyranny that even Robert Mugabe, dictator of Zimbabwe, would envy,” Madondo said.
Madondo said he believes Prime Minister Stephen Harper is using bills, policies, and official rhetoric to impose a right-wing view on Canada — an action Madondo calls “insidious.”
“Societies and organizations that opposed official policy were targeted . . . They were demonized, they were marginalized and they became like enemies of the state,” Madondo said.
While Madondo said he has many problems with the Conservative government and Prime Minister Harper, his current protest is specifically against the omnibus crime bill, Bill C-10.
The omnibus crime bill, titled the Safe Streets and Communities Act, was put forward by the Conservatives to help improve the safety and security of all Canadians, according to the department of justice website.
Among other things, the bill would better protect children and youth from sexual predators and violent young offenders by increasing minimum penalties. It would also end house arrest and eliminate pardons for serious crimes, according to the website.
“This will really punish racial minorities,” Madondo said. “Judges will not able to look at the individual circumstances of each case.”
Madondo said he’s afraid too many young offenders will be put into the prison system and come out as hardened criminals on Canadian streets. He said he’s worried the bill won’t make Canadian streets safer.
Bill C-10 consists of nine bills, many of which failed to pass when the Conservatives had a minority government.
“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a government is to protect Canadians and ensure that those who commit crimes are held to account,” Nicholson said in his statement. “Canadians want and deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, and this means that dangerous criminals need to be kept off our streets.”
Madondo said allowing C-10 be rushed through different processes and pass through Parliament is an assault on democratic institutions and processes.
“[Canada] has democratic values that must be followed,” Madondo said.
These values of compassion, inclusion, democracy and respect are being ignored, he said.
Madondo has made five demands of the Conservative government to end his hunger strike. All of them except one ask Parliament to give Bill C-10 a second look, he said.
The last demand asks for former Ottawa police chief and newly-appointed Conservative senator Vernon White to resign.
The reason for this, Madondo said, is because he claims he was forcibly removed from Confederation Park during the Occupy Ottawa protests on Nov. 23.
“[He] allowed unnecessary force to be used against protesters, myself included,” said Madondo, who claims he now has lasting injuries to his back, legs and head due to the incident.
In the end, Madondo said he just wants Canadians to keep fighting for democratic values and public action.
“I have taken the initiative to challenge the bill and the government’s injustices but Canadians still need to stay alert.”
