By John Hutton, Winnipeg Sun

Despite having spent most of last year arguing that his “tough on crime” agenda was urgently needed, Stephen Harper killed off most of it when he prorogued Parliament.

This means the legislation will have to be re-introduced and debated all over again over the next few months.

It is also a second chance for Canadians to see that his initiatives aren’t going to accomplish much, but they are going to cost taxpayers a lot of money.

Harper’s agenda involves increasing the amount of time people have to serve in jail or prison (at taxpayer expense) by imposing more minimum sentences, and making it harder for inmates to get parole.

More time, he argues, should equal less crime. It’s a simple solution and like most simple solutions to complex problems, it doesn’t work.

In real life, there is little correlation between crime rates and sentence lengths. Most people who break the law don’t stop to consider the consequences; they act on impulse, they may be under the influence or they don’t think they’ll get caught. Whatever the case, stiffer sentences do not stop people from breaking the law.

Posted By KENNEDY GORDON, Peterburough Examiner

Jean Grant says her son was a test case for a new school rule -- and her battle with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board was a test case for parents who refuse to back down.

"I want other parents to know what school boards can do, what principals and vice-principals have the power to do," Grant said Monday.

In what Grant calls the first case of its kind, the Superior Court of Justice rejected an appeal filed by the board, which wanted to keep her son out of high school and was fighting a Child and Family Services Review Board decision to keep him in class.

Grant's son, now 18, was expelled from PCVS in December 2008 after a school investigation determined he and several other boys had consumed and sold marijuana.

Board officials could not be reached for comment.

Grant admits her son used marijuana, but not on school property.

By Amber Hildebrandt, CBC News

Drunk driving and drug possession charges were dropped against former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer in court Tuesday, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser offence of careless driving.

Jaffer, 38, was ordered to pay a $500 fine within a month. He also donated $500 to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, his lawyer said.

An agreed statement of fact read by Crown lawyer Marie Balogh said that last Sept. 10, an Ontario Provincial Police constable clocked Jaffer driving 93 kilometres an hour in a 50 km/h speed zone in Palgrave, northwest of Toronto.

The village is in the southern Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey held by his wife, federal Tory cabinet minister Helena Guergis.

Jaffer said he had consumed two beers two hours earlier and was travelling home to Angus, Ont., from Toronto, the statement said. The constable said Jaffer failed his breathalyzer test.

By. France24

Holi is a spring Hindu festival celebrated in north India, well known around the world as an extravagant celebration of colours. But lesser-known is that it’s also traditionally celebrated with marijuana milkshakes.

The March festival (the exact date depends on the lunar calendar) is an occasion for men, women and children to play wildly with water guns and coloured powder. The partying also includes a drink that’s traditionally made with cannabis, which is technically illegal in India.

"Bhang thandai"- an almond-flavoured milkshake blended with cannabis - is widely served, from upper class private parties to street revelries. On this particular day, its use is completely acceptable for all adults, from youths to parents and grandparents.