Gord Brown applauds move to restrict pre-trial custody credits

March 27, 2009

Ottawa – March, 27, 2009 -  Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville says he is pleased that Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is moving forward with another portion of Mr. Brown’s Private Member’s Bill known as the Knife Bill.

When first elected in 2004, Mr. Brown introduced his Private Member’s Bill that would improve the justice system in three ways: by restricting extra credit for pre-trial custody; by recognizing victims’ needs in parole hearing management; and by setting mandatory minimum sentences for knife crimes.

Today, Minister Nicholson announced that the government is moving to restrict the use of pre-trial custody credits where criminals are given two-for-one and even three-for-one credits for time they serve in pre-trial custody.

“The Conservative Party campaigned on a promise to restrict courts from giving extra credit for pre-trial custody and I was pleased that we included this in our platform,” says Mr. Brown. “I am delighted that we are moving forward with this now.

“People denied bail because of a past criminal record or for violating bail should not receive extra credit for time they have served before trial,” he adds.

Provincial and territorial governments have repeatedly called for restrictions on credit for time served before trial.

This practice developed under the previous Liberal government. Minister Nicholson called on all parties to provide unanimous consent to ensure fast passage of this important legislation.

In 2007 the government acted on the needs of victims to be informed and involved in parole hearings by establishing the office of Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime with $52 million over four years. Its role is to ensure victims receive information and are acknowledged and assisted as participants in parole hearings.

“This effectively dealt with the parole hearing section of the Private Member’s Bill,” explains Mr. Brown.

After pre-trial custody credits are restricted the only part of the original Knife Bill remaining to be dealt with is the mandatory minimum sentence provision for crimes committed with knives.

“I am continuing to work on this important piece of the original Bill,” says Mr. Brown.

The Private Member’s Bill was developed in response to the December 1998 stabbing death of Brockville resident Andy Moffitt.

“For him, his family and the safety and security of all Canadians, I will continue working until all the provisions of the original Bill are properly resolved,” Mr. Brown says.