Law Would Make It Harder for Murderers to Get Parole
Tougher Parole for Murderers
This proposed law, put forward by Jeff Kibble, aims to change the Criminal Code. It focuses on how long someone must stay in prison before they can ask for parole. Parole is when a prisoner is released early, under supervision. The proposed law would make some criminals wait longer before they can apply for parole. This would apply to people convicted of very serious crimes. Specifically, this proposed law would affect people who commit terrible crimes. It would also affect the families of victims. If passed, some offenders would spend more time in prison. This could give victims' families a greater sense of justice. It may also make some people feel safer. This proposed law matters because it changes the justice system. It changes how we deal with serious crimes. It also shows a focus on the rights and feelings of victims and their families. The proposed law is currently being discussed in the House of Commons.
I want to change the rules for parole for those who commit terrible crimes like abduction, sexual assault, and murder. My bill would let judges make these criminals wait longer before they can ask for parole, up to 40 years. This will help protect the families of victims from having to relive the awful things that happened to their loved ones.
I think this bill has a good goal: to help victims of terrible crimes. But to make it a strong law that lasts, we need to change it. I suggest three changes to make sure it follows the rules and helps families in the best way.
I respect the intent of the bill, which aims to protect families from the pain of parole hearings. However, I think the bill is not realistic or constitutional because the Supreme Court has ruled against extending parole ineligibility in a similar case, and the bill's sponsor isn't willing to use the tools needed to make it valid, so I will vote against it.
Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about
The bill increases the waiting period for parole eligibility for those who commit 'terrible crimes,' indicating a 'tough on crime' approach.
This proposed law increases the time someone convicted of both murder and certain sex or violence offences against the same victim must serve before being eligible for parole. It also allows a jury to make recommendations on parole ineligibility, which the judge can consider when deciding on a longer period of ineligibility, but it is unclear how often this will be used and if it will be applied fairly.
Things to Watch For
- It is not clear if this proposed law will actually deter crime.
- The law might disproportionately affect certain groups of people.
- The financial cost of keeping people in prison longer is not addressed.
- The impact on rehabilitation programs within prisons is not discussed.
- It does not address how this change affects victims' families.
Click any step to learn what it means
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Click any step to learn what it means
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How likely this proposed law is to be approved
This is a private member's bill, meaning it was proposed by an individual MP, not the government. These bills rarely pass unless the government adopts them, and it's still early in the process.
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