Family of murdered BC teen applauds new federal legislation
Posted March 4, 2015 11:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Ottawa will introduce legislation to make sure that a life sentence means life behind bars for Canada’s most horrific killer.
He adds the new bill will remove any chance of parole for those convicted of first-degree murder involving the killing of police officers or correctional officers, terrorism, kidnapping or sexual assault and crimes of “particularly brutal nature.” It would also apply to anyone who commits high treason.
The family of Kimberly Proctor supports the law. In March of 2010, Proctor was sexually assaulted, tortured and murdered by two teens who were convicted, but not as adults.
“In our case if Kimmy’s murder occurred two months later Cameron Moffat would have been, in the eye of the law, an adult. We feel it is the public’s best interest for offenders who commit violent offences to be incarcerated. Yes, our family understands that the financial cost for housing an offender is great but we believe and know first-hand, the cost of the loss of an innocent person’s life is priceless,” the family said in a statement.
The family has been pressing ahead for new legislation in BC called Kimberly’s Law, in hopes of identifying possible threats before an attack or assault occurs.
Right now, anyone convicted of first-degree murder faces an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
The federal government says in order to address constitutional concerns, under the new law, some killers serving life without parole will be permitted to petition the public safety minister for release after serving no less than 35 years.
Harper adds the decision on whether to grant the request would rest with the federal cabinet — which he says is made up of men and women fully accountable to Canadians and to victims’ families.
The legislation fits into the Harper government’s tough-on-crime agenda as it gears up for an election later this year and follows through on a promise made in the 2013 Speech from the Throne.
