OP-ED Piece: New law limits house arrest for serious crimes

June 16, 2007

as published in Niagara This Week

During the last election, Canada’s New Government made a commitment to protect families and communities by cracking down on guns, gangs and drugs.

After taking office, we immediately got to work on our tackling crime agenda by introducing legislation to get violent, dangerous offenders off our streets.

This Government promised Canadians to end conditional sentences or “house arrest” for serious and violent crimes.

After being repeatedly stalled by the Liberal Opposition in the House of Commons, Bill C-9 (conditional sentence of imprisonment) received Royal Assent on May 31.

This long-awaited legislation ensures that people who commit serious crimes don’t go back into the community, but rather serve time behind bars. If criminals are to be held to account, they must face a punishment that matches the severity of their crime – not be sent back home to play on their computers or watch television.
As amended, Bill C-9 does not go as far or provide the same degree of clarity as it did in its original form, but it does eliminate the availability of conditional sentences for offences punishable by 10-years or more that qualify as serious personal injury offences (e.g., sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault with a weapon), terrorism offences or criminal organization offences.
The passage of Bill C-9 marks a significant step in Canada’s New Government’s efforts to tackle crime and make our streets and communities safer.

Since taking office, Canada’s New Government has taken action to make our streets and communities safer by tabling legislation to: increase mandatory penalties for gun-related crimes; better fight alcohol- and drug-impaired driving; ban house arrest for repeated offences; create tougher laws against street racing: and raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 years to protect youth from adult sexual predators.

As Minister of Justice, I have been working hard to ensure that this Government’s tackling crime agenda progresses through Parliament.

Moving forward, our Government will continue to address the needs of hard-working Canadians, and fulfill its promise to Canadians and protect families and communities by cracking down on guns, gangs and drugs.

With Parliament set to adjourn shortly and schools wrapping up for another year, I would like to wish everyone the best for this summer season. Have a safe and happy summer!