MINISTER OF JUSTICE PROPOSES STRINGENT NEW RULES TO PROTECT CANADIANS FROM DANGEROUS AND HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS

OTTAWA, October 17, 2006 – Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Vic Toews, Q.C., today introduced legislation that will allow for more effective sentencing and management of sexual and violent offenders, as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to tackle crime.

"Canadian families expect protection from dangerous and high-risk offenders," said Minister Toews." Canada's New Government is delivering that protection. We are moving ahead with aggressive changes to ensure that our streets and communities are safe."

"There is nothing more he artbreaking than when a criminal who is known to be dangerous gets further opportunities to hurt someone," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety . "It is time to implement effective preventative measures to safeguard communities and children from individuals identified as dangerous or high-risk offenders, and at the same time, to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to deal with these individuals. This government is serious about getting tough on crime," he added.

The proposed reforms target Criminal Code provisions governing Dangerous Offenders, to make it easier for Crown prosecutors to obtain Dangerous Offender designations. Such designations reflect the most severe sentence available in Canadian law. A cornerstone of the reforms is that an offender found guilty of a third conviction of a designated violent or sexual offence must prove that he or she does not qualify as a Dangerous Offender.

The reforms would also strengthen section 810.1 and 810.2 Peace Bond provisions to allow for longer and more aggressive supervision after designated offenders are released back into communities. These reforms will target child sexual, sexual and violent predators and allow judges to extend the terms of such orders, as well as clarify that strict supervisory, monitoring and residency conditions can be imposed to protect Canadians from these individuals.

"Many of these changes have been specifically requested by provinces and territories," added Minister Toews. "This legislation will ensure that high-risk and dangerous offenders face tougher consequences when they are sentenced, and are kept better track of when they are released into the community. "

Along with these legislative reforms, all jurisdictions are committed to working collaboratively to improve other essential program measures. Under the federal leadership of the Minister of Public Safety, these include the National Flagging System, a national program that has all governments working closely together to keep Canadian communities safe.

An online version of the legislation will be available at www.parl.gc.ca.

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Ref.:

Mark Quinlan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863

Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Canada
613-991-0657