GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES BILL TO END HOUSE ARREST FOR PROPERTY AND OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES BY SERIOUS AND VIOLENT OFFENDERS

OTTAWA, April 22, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Senator, today announced the re-introduction of legislation to end the use of house arrest for property and other serious crimes by serious and violent offenders.

“Our Government shares the common-sense belief of Canadians, that the punishment should fit the crime – especially when it comes to serious and violent offences," said Minister Nicholson. "This legislation would make it clear to the courts that those who commit serious property and violent offences will serve jail time, and house arrest will no longer be an option.”

In 2006, the Government introduced legislation to eliminate the use of conditional sentences for any offence for which there was a maximum sentence of 10 years. During the parliamentary process, that legislation was amended, removing some of the serious offences that were proposed for ineligibility. As a result, offenders convicted of some serious property and violent offences – including among other things, aggravated assault, human trafficking, luring a child, street racing causing death, arson, fraud, counterfeiting, and extortion – remain eligible for conditional sentences, including house arrest.

"Our government is taking further action to crack down on crime and to protect the safety and security of our communities," said Senator Boisvenu. “The proposed legislation would ensure that house arrest is no longer used for offences that pose a significant risk to law-abiding citizens.”

"The current legislation has not sufficiently restricted access to conditional sentences for offenders who commit serious and violent offences, including repeat offenders,” said Heidi Illingworth, Executive Director of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. “Victims feel distress when they see offenders, not only those responsible for their own victimization, but also those who commit other serious crimes, sentenced to ‘house arrest.’ This proposed change will address concerns that some victims and survivors of violent crime have expressed to our organization."

"Chronic and violent offenders rotate in and out of the correctional and judicial systems, creating a sense of frustration among police personnel and fostering uncertainty and fear in our communities," stated Charles Momy, President of the Canadian Police Association. "This is a positive step to address the revolving door justice system and instil meaningful and proportionate consequences for serious and violent crimes."

An online version of the legislation will be available at www.parl.gc.ca

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Ref.:

• Pamela Stephens
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Justice
  613-992-4621
  
  
• Media Relations
  Department of Justice
  613-957-4207