Rob Moore welcomes government legislation to end entitlements for convicted criminals

June 1, 2010 - Ottawa, Ontario - Rob Moore, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, today welcomed new government legislation to eliminate government entitlements for incarcerated criminals. The government will amend the Old Age Security Act to terminate payment of Old Age Security (OAS) benefits to convicted prisoners.

"It is obviously wrong that criminals receive the same benefits as hard-working Canadians," said Minister Moore. "The justice system we inherited from the previous government often fails to put the rights of victims over the rights of criminals. We are changing that." The new legislation will ensure that murderers such as Clifford Olson do not receive entitlements while in jail. The notorious mass murderer is receiving these government entitlements even though he murdered 11 children, forever altering the lives of their families, and traumatizing the communities where he committed his dreadful crimes.

"OAS benefits are intended to help seniors look after their needs," said Minister Moore. "They are not intended to support prisoners whose basic needs are already looked after. The current situation is deeply offensive to me, our Prime Minister and to Canadians across the country. Victims deserve better."

Implementation will begin with inmates who are incarcerated in federal penitentiaries for two years or more. The government will work with the provinces and territories to continue implementation in provincial and territorial institutions for inmates serving sentences of greater than 90 days.

Rob Moore is the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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For further information, please contact:

Catherine Godbout
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
613-996-2316