MP Gallant Supports New Crime Fighting Measures

November 16, 2009

PEMBROKE, ONTARIO… MP Cheryl Gallant, (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) is pleased to support a number of justice initiatives that support victims rights and demonstrate that the Federal Government is serious about crime with the introduction of legislation to end sentence discounts for multiple murders, new tough laws targeting identity theft, restricting credit for time served and tougher sentences for fraud.

“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. The value of each life taken will be acknowledged,” said MP Gallant.

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. 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.

“Fraud can have a devastating impact on the lives of its victims, including feelings of humiliation for having been deceived into voluntarily handing over their life savings” said Cheryl Gallant, MP.  “In too many instances criminals target seniors. Our legislation will help crack down on white-collar crime and increase justice for victims by providing tougher sentences for the criminals responsible.”

The proposed legislation would also require judges to consider requiring offenders to make restitution to victims in all fraud cases. It would permit the court to order the offender not to take employment or do volunteer work involving authority over other people’s money. The court would also be permitted to receive a Community Impact Statement that would describe the losses suffered as a result of a fraud perpetrated against a particular community, such as a neighbourhood, a seniors’ centre or a club.   

A new power will be added permitting the court to order, as part of a sentence, that an offender be required to pay restitution to a victim of identity theft or identity fraud for costs associated with their efforts to rehabilitate their identity, e.g., the cost of replacement cards, documents and correcting their credit history. This provision will complement existing provisions which permit restitution to be ordered for actual economic or other property losses.

“Canadians have told us they want action on crime and our Government is delivering.  This legislation acknowledges the effects of crime on innocent victims and the need to send a clear message that criminal behaviour in our society is not acceptable,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.