September 19, 2006

MADD Canada supports Ottawa’s Bill 9
to Eliminate Conditional Sentences for Violent Crimes

Mothers Against Drunk Driving came out today to vocally support Bill 9, the federal government’s legislation to eliminate conditional sentences for violent crimes.  On the day when Justice Minister Vic Toews is to appear before the Justice Committee to begin the legislative review process, MADD Canada urges Parliamentarians not ‘to play politics’ but to act ‘expeditiously’ and pass the Bill.

Karen Dunham, MADD Canada’s National President explains:  “We strongly believe that a sentence should reflect the severity of the crime.  In the case of violent crimes, where a person has been killed or seriously injured, conditional sentences such as house arrests and community service are totally inadequate.  When a person drinks, drives and kills or seriously injures, that person should have to do jail time.”

“In today’s judicial system, not enough is said about the value and respect of a human life. For victims and their families, the use of conditional sentencing for violent crimes is an insulting example of how our system is tilted towards consideration for the convicted.”  Mrs Dunham adds, “Our courts have to catch up to the public’s sense of justice and what is both fair and effective sentencing.”

The National President calls on Parliamentarians to pass the legislation.  “We’d like to see  Bill 9 out of Committee and back into the House as expeditiously as possible.  MADD Canada calls on MPs and Senators to pass this legislation this Fall sitting.”

“Our hope is that MPs and Senators will not play politics with such an important Bill.  The vast majority of Canadians want to see a stop put to judges dealing ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ cards to convicted offenders who kill,” says Mrs. Dunham.

In a SES public opinion survey conducted in May 2006 for MADD Canada, there was wide spread support for the elimination of conditional sentences in the case of impaired driving causing death.  A total of 89% of Canadians believe that those who drink, drive and kill another person as a result of an impaired driving crash should receive jail time.  The support was high throughout the country, with both males and females, and in every age bracket.  [See poll details.]

MADD Canada has recently met with the Justice Minister and with MPs from all caucuses to express support for Bill 9. The organization considers this legislation a priority initiative in the fight against the impaired driving crime.  Pre-dating 2004, when the organization delivered over 33,000 petitions to Parliament Hill, MADD Canada has urged successive Governments and Parliaments for this measure.  For more background information on MADD Canada’s call for the end of conditional sentences, visit madd.ca

For further information, visit www.madd.ca or call:

Karen Dunham, National President
(506) 650-7473

Andrew Murie, Chief Executive Officer
1-800-665-6233, ext. 224