FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa – December 8, 2016
Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have announced that they will not support a Conservative Private Members Bill that would tighten bail conditions for convicted criminals. Bill S-217, also known as Wynn’s law, is a Conservative initiative that responded to the murder of RCMP Constable David Wynn.
Constable Wynn was gunned down in January 2015 by career criminal Shawn Rehn, who had been released on bail a few months earlier and then failed to appear in court. At the time of his release and just prior to the murder of Constable Wynn, Shawn Rehn had more than 50 criminal convictions. Wynn’s law would make it mandatory for prosecutors to disclose any charges or convictions to a judge before a person is released on bail. Constable Wynn left behind a wife, Shelly, and three young boys.
Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie–Mackenzie, called on the Prime Minister to reverse his decision and support this common sense piece of legislation that will strengthen the justice system and support victims of crime. “The Liberals have made a mistake by not supporting this bill,” Warkentin said. “This piece of legislation is essential for giving the justice system the tools to support victims. It will stop career criminals from being released if they pose a risk to our communities.”
The announcement that the Liberals will not support Wynn’s law follows the Trudeau government’s decision to eliminate provisions that protect victims of crime, including lowering the parole application fee and removing the victims surcharge.
“Justin Trudeau has reversed many of the major provisions supporting victims of crime that our Conservative government established,” Warkentin said. “I believe the criminal justice system should protect all Canadians and put the rights of victims of crime ahead of the rights of criminals. Unfortunately the Liberals are demonstrating they have different priorities.
For more information, please contact: (613-992-5685), or chris.warkentin@parl.gc.ca.