Ottawa – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson- Cariboo is pleased with the proposed next steps in the federal government’s plan for safe streets and communities.
“In seven short years, we have enacted into law over 30 measures to tackle crime, put victims first, and make our streets and communities safer,” said McLeod. “Our plan for 2013, will build on our record by making progress in three significant areas.”
First, tackle crime by holding violent criminals accountable for their crimes:
-The federal government intends to bring forward legislation to further toughen penalties for child sexual offenses, as well as to better address the risks posed by known child sex offenders.
-The government will soon introduce legislation to better protect the public from accused persons who have been found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder. Such legislation would ensure that public safety is the paramount consideration in these cases.
Second, enhance the rights of victims:
-The federal government will bring forward legislation to implement a Victims’ Bill of Rights. This will further enhance the government’s commitment to victims of crime by entrenching their rights into a single law at the federal level.
-The government will also address the important issue of restitution by facilitating victims’ ability to obtain restitution where they incur losses.
Lastly, increase the efficiency of our justice system:
-The federal government will continue to look at measures to make our justice system more efficient, including: making the bail regime more effective and efficient; using new technologies in the justice system; and making the extradition regime more effective and efficient.
“We have made much progress in restoring Canadians’ confidence in our justice system, but more work remains to be done,” stated McLeod. “Crime has devastated the lives of far too many people in this country. In 2011 alone, there were more than 1,000 violent offenses committed each and every day in cities and communities across Canada, over 400,000 in total.”
“Our plan to hold criminals accountable, put victims first, protect our children, and make Canada’s justice system more efficient, will go a long way to restore the public’s faith in our criminal justice system and directly benefit all Canadians,” concluded McLeod.