Dear Constituent,

Last week, Minister of Public Safety, Vic Toews announced legislation to replace the current system and eliminate pardons for serious crimes. He was joined at the announcement by former NHL player, Sheldon Kennedy, and other courageous Canadians who work tirelessly on behalf of victims of crime.

Our Government believes the system should not put the rights of criminals ahead of the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens.

The current pardons system implies that what the offender did is somehow okay, or is forgiven, or that the harm done has somehow disappeared. Our Government disagrees, and is on the side of victims.

Under the current system “pardons” are granted almost automatically. The new system would allow a “record suspension” in more limited circumstances.

Anyone convicted of a sex offence against a child would be permanently ineligible. Those convicted of more than three indictable offences would also be permanently ineligible.

In all other cases, the legislation would increase the period of ineligibility for a record suspension – to five years for summary conviction offences, and to ten years for indictable offences.

Eliminating pardons for serious crimes will help protect our children and our communities, and it will better reflect Canadians’ natural sense of justice.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me to share your thoughts on this or any other matter.

Best regards,

- Randy