MP Parm Gill Introduces a Private Members Bill to Tackle Gang Recruitment

With the growing concern of gang recruitment in our communities MP Parm Gill

addresses the issue head on

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Ottawa, Ontario – On the 13th Feb, 2012,  in the House of Commons, Parm Gill, Member of Parliament for Brampton-Springdale introduced his Private Members Bill, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and National Defence Act (Criminal Organization Recruitment). This Bill seeks to address criminal organization’s recruitment activities, while placing the safety of our children and communities first.

Canadians from across this country have raised their voices in unison about the gang issues that communities continue to face. Whether we call Brampton, Regina, Halifax or Vancouver home, we all want and deserve to feel safe in our communities.

“I, like so many other Canadians, am concerned about the number of youth who are actively targeted and recruited to join criminal organizations today,” said Parm Gill. “Recruitment of youth is becoming an all-too-common strategy for gangs – placing our community’s safety and security in jeopardy.”

MP Parm Gill has met with numerous stakeholders across the country to gain insight from those who face gangs, gang recruitment and violence on a daily basis. The feedback from front-line police officers, ex-gang members, front-line service workers and educators was an eye-opening experience.

There need to be active steps taken to address the issue of gang recruitment in our communities. Youth are being recruited by some of Canada’s most notorious and violent criminal organizations because of their age and vulnerability.

“Criminal organizations today are targeting youth under the age of 12 and as young as 8 years-old to participate in criminal activities because they cannot be formally charged with a criminal offence,” said Parm Gill. “There is a dire need to protect our communities from those who prey on innocent and vulnerable individuals, while providing our law enforcement and justice officials with the proper tools to address this issue.”