MP Hoeppner Says New Sentencing Guidelines Will Help Restore Canadians’ Confidence in Criminal Justice System

MORDEN, MB -Portage—Lisgar Member of Parliament Candice Hoeppner welcomed the passing into law of the Conservative government’s bill to restrict “credit for time served” for convicted criminals.

“Our Government told Canadians that we would get tough on crime, and we are demonstrating our commitment to that pledge by making convicted criminals serve adequate time in prison for committed offences,” Hoeppner stated.

Yesterday the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced that Bill C-25 had come into force, changing the rules to strictly limit credit for time served in custody prior to conviction and sentencing.

Until now, when handing down sentences, judges had discretion to take into account time spent by offenders in pre-trial custody by giving offenders double (two-to-one) credit.  The new sentencing guidelines provide the courts with clear guidance and limits for granting credit for pre-sentencing custody.

 “Law-abiding Canadian families have been frustrated by the lack of appropriate sentences for convicted criminals,” Hoeppner continued.  “I believe this measure will help restore the faith of Canadians in the criminal justice system while sending a clear message to offenders that this government is serious about crime.”

Hoeppner noted that other efforts by the Canadian Government to tackle crime include mandatory jail time for serious drug offences involving gangs, violence, or preying on youth; mandatory prison sentences for white-collar crimes like fraud; and new protections for children from online predators and other measures to clamp down on cybercrimes.

An on-line version of the legislation can be found at www.parl.gc.ca.