OTTAWA — The Conservative government is introducing legislation to repeal the so-called “faint hope” clause from the Criminal Code.
If passed into law, the legislation would mean that anyone convicted of first- or second-degree murder would no longer be able to apply for early parole.
“Our government believes murderers must serve serious time for the most serious crime,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said in a statement Friday.
“By ending faint hope reviews, we are saying No to early parole for murders.
“We are also sparing families the pain of attending repeated parole eligibility hearings and having to relive these unspeakable losses, over and over again.”
Under the faint hope clause, criminals convicted of first- and second-degree murder can apply for an earlier parole eligibility date at the 15-year mark of their sentence.
The legislation would directly impact people convicted of murder once it becomes law.
But under the Tory proposal, anyone currently serving life sentences would also face tougher rules when applying for early parole.
Today’s move is one of a series of law-and-order announcements the Conservative government is making in the weeks before Parliament rises for the summer.
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This is a good one to throw out there. First off because I agree with removing it.
Second, it will serve to rile up the 3 opposition parties. They will have to decide which is worse, the roll back of some liberal ideas or risk an election. Good strategy by PM Harper.
mid island mike
I also agree. Trash it.
might as well try the long gun registry while they’re at it . Those bloc and ndp pensions are looking good right now if they help kill this crap .
…and after the gun registry the Conservatives need to go after the legal stipulation that multiple murderers can only be sentenced to ‘one’ life sentence (multiple convictions served concurrently) regardless of the # of bodies. No more freebees.
…. and after that the CPC can go after the ability of refugees to ever be eligible for citizenship (Canada is the only country in the world to have such an insane provision and for a very good reason). Another Liberal ‘power to the party’ law at the expence of the good of the nation.
Maybe a separate entry could be set up for Canadians to list what other Liberal enacted laws are on the books that need eradication to make this country a better, and safer place to live.
A damn good one to get rid of… but I wish the Conservatives hadn’t backed off of dumping the “toonies-for-votes” scheme.
Hell yeah!
There’s no need to keep the faint hope clause. Cumulatively, Canada will be safer by keeping dangerous criminals in prison for longer.