The best friend of Kristen French is speaking out after a bill, that would have moved killer Paul Bernardo back to a maximum-security jail, was voted down in Ottawa.
Marcia Penner has sent off an open letter to all sitting MP’s following the rejection of Bill C-232 proposed by Niagara Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli last week.
Penner says the decision to vote against it sends a deeply troubling message, and suggests that the concerns of Canadians come second to ideology and political considerations.
“As someone who has spent years advocating for victims and for meaningful change, I find that unacceptable. I will continue to fight for my best friend, Kristen French, whose life was stolen by one of Canada’s most notorious dangerous offenders. I will continue to advocate for victims whose voices can no longer be heard. And I will continue to challenge policies and decisions that place dangerous offenders ahead of public safety.”
Penner says the bill was an opportunity to stand with victims, survivors, and Canadians who believe that the most dangerous criminals in our country belong in maximum-security institutions, but instead MPs made the wrong decision.
Kristen French died on April 19, 1992. She was abducted on April 16, 1992, in St. Catharines, Ontario, and was held captive, tortured, and subsequently murdered by Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka.
Homolka served 12 years behind bars before being released in 2005.
It is believed she is living in the Montreal suburb of Châteauguay, Quebec, where she has been raising a family.
Bernardo is currently serving a life sentence, and three years ago was transferred to a medium-security jail complete with an ice rink and tennis court.
Public outrage grew as the public found out that Bernardo’s victims were not notified of the transfer, and learned through the media.
MP Baldinelli says he won’t give up the fight.
To find out more about French, and the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, which was created in her honour click here.
Story and photo credit: Bonnie Heslop
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