The Trudeau government is bringing in its justice reform agenda.
It intends the remove mandatory minimum penalties for drug offences and some gun-related crimes.
The government says the penalties do not make Canadians safer, and unfairly affect Indigenous and Black offenders.
The legislation would also allow for greater use of conditional sentences -- such as house arrest, counselling or treatment -- for people who do not pose a threat to public safety.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the current criminal justice system does more harm than good, often putting young racialized Canadians on the wrong path.