By Sarah Klein
Provincial opposition critics pounced on the NDP government Tuesday after new data released by Statistics Canada showed Manitoba comes last in reducing crime.
Stats Can data showed Manitoba is the worst in Canada for violent crimes, homicide, robberies, and property crime.
“Manitoba is the only province where serious violent crime is on the rise, we have the highest rate of property crime and robberies, and Winnipeg leads the nation for being the most violent city in the country,” said PC Justice Critic Kelvin Goertzen.
Manitoba also reported the highest homicide rate among provinces for the third year in a row and robberies increased by 25 percent, according to the report.
The Progressive Conservatives suggest putting more police officers on the streets, additional prosecutors to clear up the backlog in the courts, and increased jail capacity where drug-addicted criminals can undergo drug treatment.
The opposition says they would also ensure court-ordered breaches are made public and stop the flow of scarce welfare dollars to criminals on the lam.
