As far as we can tell, Canada, today has an imprisonment rate only slightly higher than it was when the Harper government took control in 2006, notwithstanding the fact that during the Harper decade, at least 42 separate crime bills were passed by Parliament, most of which contained sections that would appear to have had the goal of increasing the level of punishment directed at those convicted of offences. What is it that “protected” Canada from a more punitive turn? Why is it that a government that prided itself as being “tough on crime” did not apparently succeed in increasing imprisonment dramatically?