The omnibus Bill C10 is currently before the Senate for final approval. At Pardons Canada we have been opposed to the changes set out in the original Bill C23 affecting Pardons in Canada especially relating to their proposal to change the terminology to “Record Suspension” and the longer wait times to be eligible for a Pardon. According to the email below by Liberal Senator Art Eggleton, they too are opposed to many of the proposals in the new Bill C10.
Thank you for your email letter regarding Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill.
The Conservatives’ bundling together of 9 bills that warranted independent discussion, their shutting down of debate in committee, and their rejection of all amendments while arrogantly labeling others as supporters of criminals and not victims, undermines Parliament and democratic process. They have rammed through the House of Commons a law and order agenda that is poorly thought-out, rushed and demonstrates the Conservative commitment to governing by ideology instead of facts and evidence.
This bill will impose mandatory minimums that will turn young offenders into hardened criminals. It fails the mentally ill, aboriginal people, visible minorities and the poor. It repeats the mistakes of failed, expensive and discredited American crime policy. Police and prisons officials from states like Texas are telling Mr. Harper very clearly: We tried what you are doing but it drained the public coffers and made our communities less safe. Do not go down our failed path.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that the cost of only a few of these measures to be over $13 Billion, but the government has never produced a credible estimate and won’t tell Canadians how much this will cost. These policies will impose an extreme financial burden on the Provinces who will be saddled with more inmates and stripped of any judicial discretion
At the end of the day we will have more crime, less justice, skyrocketing costs, prison overcrowding, less rehabilitation for the offenders, less protection for victims and less protection for the public. Liberals are committed to pursuing a crime and justice approach that is evidence-based, cost effective and focused on preventing crime and victimization.”
My Liberal colleagues and I will be voting against Bill C-10 when it is brought before the Senate.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
Art Eggleton
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011 or 416-929-6011.
