Walking the talk ... one step at a time

August 17, 2009

This letter is written in response to the editorial 'Tough Tories must walk the talk' by Dave Breakenridge, which appeared Aug. 6 in the Times-Journal.

Dave Breakenridge referred to two cases where the justice system in Canada has seemingly favoured the criminal, and has left the victims of crime and law-abiding Canadians vulnerable. In this editorial he presses the need for the government of Canada to get tougher on criminals and protect Canadians.

I would have to agree, our justice system is far from perfect. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, I'm proud to say that our justice system is finally getting its priorities on track, focusing on standing up for the victims of crime, and putting the rights of law-abiding citizens ahead of the rights of criminals.

To this effect, our Conservative government has already passed several key pieces of legislation in these efforts.
For instance, we have passed the comprehensive Tackling Violent Crime Act, which has toughened sentencing and bail for those who commit serious gun crimes; better protects youth from sexual predators and better protects society from dangerous offenders.
We have also passed legislation to end conditional sentences for serious personal injury offences, including sexual assault; as was the case with Mr. Breakenridge's examples.

Despite our accomplishments however, our Conservative government is committed to continue to improve our justice system and put in place laws that truly protect law-abiding citizens and support the victims of crime. Right now, we have introduced several measures into Parliament that are designed to do just that.

Two of these key measures include restricting the '2-for-1' credit for time served (Bill C-25) and repealing the 'Faint Hope Clause' (Bill C-36). These pieces of legislation, both of which have already been tabled and are scheduled for debate when Parliament resumes in the fall session, would clearly limit the amount of credit that the courts may grant to convicted criminals for the time they have served prior to their sentencing and would ensure that criminals who commit first- or second-degree murder would no longer be able to apply for early parole.

It would also bring an end to "faint hope" reviews, which would spare families the pain of attending repeated parole eligibility hearings and having to relive their losses over and over again.

Another of these measures includes eliminating conditional sentences for serious property and violent crime (Bill C-42). This legislation would add new requirements to further restrict when a conditional sentence can be imposed, so that conditional sentences would no longer be available to criminals who commit serious crimes.

It is my hope, that my opposition colleagues also see the pressing need for these necessary reforms and stand in solidarity with Prime Minister Harper in protecting Canadians and supporting those who are unfortunate enough to have been victimized by a senseless criminal act.

Joe Preston, MP
Elgin-Middlesex-London