OTTAWA, October 28, 2009 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Mr. Daniel Petit, M.P. for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today announced the introduction of legislation to end sentence discounts for multiple murders.
"We cannot bring back those who have been so callously murdered nor repair the hearts of those who have lost loved ones to murder. But we can ensure that those who commit the most serious crime of all, taking a life, will pay a more appropriate price," said Minister Nicholson.
"Once this bill becomes law, multiple murderers will no longer get volume discounts," said the Minister. "The value of each life taken will be acknowledged, and Canadians will be better protected from the criminals who commit such heinous acts."
The new legislation would allow judges to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods on individuals convicted of more than one first- or second-degree murder. Under the current system, individuals convicted of multiple murders serve their parole ineligibility periods concurrently.
"The family of a murder victim should not be left to feel that the life of their loved one doesn't count," said Mr. Petit. "Through this and other measures our Government is standing up for victims and protecting Canadians by keeping criminals behind bars and off our streets."
First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for a minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 25 years.
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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
