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441-02211 (Justice)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled

We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

For over eight years, the Liberal government has put the privileges of criminals ahead of the rights of victims;

Frequent parole hearings often revictimize and retraumatize the families of victims of murder;

The Liberal government has failed to respond to the Bissonnette decision, disregarding the impact that this decision will have on the families of victims of some of Canada's most heinous murderers; and

Bill S-281, Brian's Bill, is a modest response to Bissonnette that puts victims first by preventing convicted murderers from applying for parole every year after serving their minimum sentence.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge Parliament to swiftly pass Brian's Bill.

Response by the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): JENNIFER O’CONNELL, M.P.

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to supporting victims and survivors of crime. This includes supporting the ability of victims to access information about the individuals who have harmed them, and strengthening federal efforts to uphold the rights of victims under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and other federal legislation. The Government fully acknowledges the pain and trauma experienced by victims, and agrees that their rights should be respected at all stages of the criminal justice process.

The Government is likewise committed to delivering public safety results in an effort to keep all Canadians safe, including victims and their families. As stipulated by the principles of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA), the protection of society is the paramount consideration in all decisions throughout the federal correctional system, including all decisions related to conditional release.

The CCRA establishes a role for victims of crime within the federal corrections and conditional release system through the timely exchange of relevant information with victims. This includes communicating about correctional policies and programs, disclosing information to victims who express an interest in receiving information about the offender who harmed them, ensuring that victims have an effective voice by providing opportunities for victims to share their safety concerns and requests, and taking into consideration victims’ concerns when making correctional and conditional release decisions.

Bill S-281 remains in its early stages, having only been introduced in the Senate on November 8, 2023. As the Bill moves through Parliament, the Government will continue to closely monitor its progress.

Protecting Canadians is the Government of Canada’s primary concern. This goal is best achieved by implementing evidence-based correctional policies proven to keep our communities and citizens safe by preventing crime and victimization and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders.

Presented to the House of Commons
Michael Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton)
February 26, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02211)
Government response tabled
April 10, 2024
Photo - Michael Cooper
St. Albert—Edmonton
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.