Liberals Backtrack on Important 'Tough on Crime' Legislation

Ottawa, Ontario – October 8, 2009 – Yesterday, Michael Ignatieff's Liberal senators gutted Bill C-25, a key piece of anti-crime legislation that seeks to end the practice of reducing criminals' sentences at a 2 for 1 ratio for time served in pre-trial custody.

This move comes in the face of overwhelming public support for the bill. Bill C-25 is supported by provincial justice ministers from all parties, as well as victims' groups and police associations. Canadians have been clear that they want offenders to be sentenced according to the serious nature of their crimes.

Bill C-25 was passed unanimously by the House of Commons.

Despite a previous commitment by the Liberals to a one-to-one ratio, Michael Ignatieff's own Liberal senators have decided to gut Bill C-25 by removing the bill's stipulations that replace two-for-one credit with one-to-one credit for time served. The new proposal by the Senate would give those held in pre-trial custody 1.5 days of credit for each day served in pre-trail custody while keeping open the possibility of 2 for 1 sentencing credits.

"The recent move by the Liberals to propose amendments to Bill C-25 is very disappointing," said MP Rob Moore. "In the past, I have heard my Liberal colleagues vocalize their support for this important legislation, and this support is welcomed, since the bill is all about keeping criminals off the streets and keeping Canadians safe. To see the Liberals in the Senate now backtrack on their party's commitments really deals quite an unnecessary blow to important changes that would improve our justice system."

Bill C-25 is one part of the government's comprehensive justice agenda. The government has already passed measures to combat reckless shootings, and is currently working to pass legislation that targets serious drug crime, auto theft and identity theft.

Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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William Spisso
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316