Ottawa, ON – This afternoon, the Liberals and NDP unanimously voted against Bill C-243, the Private Member’s Bill presented by Kerry Diotte, Conservative Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach.
Bill C-243 sought to extend the interval between parole hearings for individuals convicted of murder, with the aim of reducing the emotional burden on the victims’ families and loved ones.
“This was an opportunity for all parties to collaborate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families of murder victims,” said Diotte. “This is a disappointing outcome for the many Canadians who supported this bill and for the advocates and family members who were hoping it would proceed.”
If passed, this bill, formally C-243, would have ended the practice of convicted murderers applying for annual parole hearings. Instead, after their first hearing, they would have been eligible to reapply only at five-year intervals: lessening the profound trauma endured by their victims’ families, who currently must suffer through parole hearings year after year.
Prior to its second reading, Bill C-243 received support from several police and advocacy organizations, including:
- Commissioner Thomas Carrique, President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police,
- Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association,
- Graham Ernst, President, Alberta Federation of Police Associations,
- Matthew Cox, President of the Ottawa Police Association,
- The Toronto Police Association,
- François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada, and
- John Orr, President of the Calgary Police Association.
“We must never forget the loved ones left behind after a murder,” Diotte concluded. “I’ll continue to push the Liberal government on parole reform until they start listening to Canadians.”