Ottawa, ON – Today, the House of Commons voted unanimously to pass Kelly DeRidder’s, Conservative Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, Private Members’ Bill C-240 at second reading. The Bill seeks to recognize that rehabilitation can change lives, while also ensuring serious consequences for fentanyl traffickers who profit from destroying the lives of the vulnerable.
“Conservatives are encouraged to see Bill C-240 pass second reading unanimously,” said MP DeRidder. “As someone who has personally experienced addiction and recovery, I know firsthand that recovery is possible when people are given the right support and accountability.”
If passed, this legislation will:
- Allow court-ordered rehabilitation measures for offenders, enabling courts to order additional rehabilitative measures during an offender’s custodial sentence, such as participation in educational, training, or treatment programs;
- Permit stricter penalties for fentanyl traffickers by introducing an aggravating factor in sentencing for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl in large quantities, leading to stricter penalties; and
- Include rehabilitation progress in parole decisions, requiring that parole boards consider an offender’s progress in completing court-ordered rehabilitation programs when making parole decisions.
“Bill C-240 is about helping break cycles of addiction and crime, improving public safety and giving more Canadians a chance at rebuilding their lives,” DeRidder concluded. “I look forward to continuing the conversation with my colleagues on both sides of the House as this bill moves to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.”