LEGISLATION STANDING UP FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT

OTTAWA, March 23, 2011 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada is pleased to announce that legislation aimed at ensuring more truth in sentencing and protecting children from on-line sexual exploitation received Royal Assent today.

“The safety and security of law-abiding Canadians is a priority for this Government,” said Minister Nicholson.“Our Government has taken action to ensure the rights of victims are respected and that tough action is taken against murderers, white collar criminals and Internet child pornography offences.”  

Four Bills have received Royal Assent:

S-6 - Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act:

Ensures a ‘life’ sentence means life by repealing the “faint-hope clause” that allows murderers to obtain early parole. Victims’ families will be spared the anguish of attending repeated parole eligibility hearings and having to relive their losses, over and over again.

C-21 - Standing Up For Victims of White Collar Crime Act:

Cracks down on white collar crime by toughening sentences for fraud and requiring judges to consider restitution for victims.

C-22 - An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service:

Helps protect children from online sexual exploitation by requiring suppliers of Internet services to report online child pornography. This bill will help identify victims so they may be rescued, and improve law enforcement’s ability to identify, apprehend and prosecute offenders.

C-48 - Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act:

Helps ensure that each life taken is acknowledged in the sentencing process and that those who commit multiple murders can serve a sentence that more adequately reflects the heinous nature of their crimes. It allows judges to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods on individuals convicted of more than one first- or second-degree murder.

“Our Government is working to ensure the justice system delivers justice more fairly and effectively,” said Minister Nicholson.“These Bills will help ensure convicted criminals receive sentences that truly reflect the severity of their crimes, making our streets and communities safer.”

The four bills will come into force on dates yet to be determined. Online versions of the bills can be found 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