Government of Canada to end Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murderers

October 28, 2009 -- Ottawa, Ontario -- Today the Government of Canada announced the introduction of legislation to end sentence discounts for multiple murderers.

"Canadians can lose faith in the criminal justice system when they feel that the punishment does not fit the crime," said MP Rob Moore. "That is why our government is putting forth legislation that would make important changes to the way that multiple murderers are sentenced. Those who commit the most serious crime of all, taking a life, must pay an appropriate price"

The federal government’s new legislation would allow judges to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods on individuals convicted of more than one first- or second-degree murder. Under the current system, individuals convicted of multiple murders serve their parole ineligibility periods concurrently.

"This government is focused on keeping Canadians safe and standing up for victims," said MP Moore. "The rights of criminals should not come before the rights of victims and law-abiding Canadians."

First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for a minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 25 years.

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

Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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William Spisso
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316