Niagara Falls-Niagara-on-the-Lake MP Tony Baldinelli’s private members bill is back up for a vote today.
Bill, C-232, which aims to keep criminals like Paul Bernardo in maximum-security prison, is expected to go through its 2nd reading debate today in the House of Commons.
It is expected that Members of Parliament will have an opportunity to vote on the legislation tomorrow.
Bernardo was transferred to a medium-security prison three years ago, sparking outrage that a serial killer and rapist would be able to enjoy more privileges like a skating rink and tennis court.
“My Private Member’s Bill is about doing what is right, by ensuring criminal monsters such as Paul Bernardo, Mark Smich, Dellen Millard and Luka Magnotta are returned to serve their sentences in a maximum-security penitentiary, where they rightly belong, Baldinelli said. Simply put, these individuals should never have been allowed to be transferred from maximum-security. Yet, that is exactly what has happened because of bad federal policy choices, made through amendments in Liberal Bill C-83, which were passed in 2019.”
“As someone whose life has been forever impacted by violent crime, I know firsthand that victims and their families carry the consequences of these horrific acts every day. Canadians expect the most dangerous offenders to remain in maximum-security institutions, and Bill C-232 helps restore that common-sense principle while respecting the voices of victims. Marcia Penner, Victims’ Rights Advocate and Friend of Kristen French
Story and image credit: Bonnie Heslop
Trusted reporting, thoughtful conversation, and local insight delivered to your inbox.