TORONTO — Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program (CCLA), made the following statement:
The proposed use of the notwithstanding clause to overrule the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Bissonnette would set a dangerous precedent.
It is false to suggest that we can either protect the public or uphold our Charter rights and freedoms.
Our system of justice is rightly founded on the principle that our society can and must do both.
The current minimum sentence for murder in Canada is life imprisonment, with parole eligibility for first degree murder set at twenty-five years. There is no guaranteed release date from prison for those convicted of multiple murders. When a person is eligible for parole, their case is independently assessed by the Parole Board of Canada, with due consideration for the protection of society.”
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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