News Release / Communiqué

Date: June 8^th, 1999

For release: Immediate

HOUSE OF COMMONS PASSES TOUGH NEW

SENTENCING PROVISIONS FOR MOST SERIOUS OF CRIMES

OTTAWA – Paul Steckle, the Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, today extended his congratulations to Albina Guarnieri, the Member of Parliament for Mississauga East, for the endorsement received in the House of Commons for her Private Members Bill on cumulative sentencing. Bill C-251, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, which was passed by the House of Commons yesterday, is now destined for consideration in the Senate.

In essence, the proposals would effectively end the practice of concurrent sentencing for individuals convicted of sexual assault (under section 271 of the Criminal Code) and first and second degree murder. In addition, if passed by the Senate, the legislation would also impose new restrictions on parole eligibility. Steckle, who supported the Bill, commented by saying, “By ending the common practice of volume discounting punishment for people who commit the most heinous of crimes against their communities, we have taken an important first step along the road to restoring the public faith in our beleaguered justice system. I look forward to an expedient approval from the Senate..”

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For further information:

Greg McClinchey Legislative Assistant to Paul Steckle, M.P., Huron-Bruce

(613) 992-8234 or steckp0@parl.gc.ca