Weekend passes for sex offenders

MP and Justice Critic Vic Toews questions "Weekend passes for sex offenders" [Check the Oct. 18, 05 Hansard transcripts.]

Vic Toews rose in the House of Commons yesturday to ask the Liberal government why convicted murderers and sex offenders are being given weekend passes to children's amusement parks.

Audio Link (unofficial transcript follows):

Mr. Vic Toews: Mr. Speaker, this morning Ontario police chiefs identified this government's laws, including house arrest and early parole, as obstructing their fight against crime and strangling the justice system. The police chiefs tell us the parole board has been giving weekend passes to convicted murderers and sex offenders so they can attend local theme parks.

Could the minister explain to wondering Canadians why convicted murderers and sex offenders should be given weekend passes to children's amusement parks.

Hon. Anne McLellan (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.):Mr. Speaker, obviously the purpose of the parole system has to be to ensure the public safety. That is why in fact I have asked the Standing Committee on Justice to review both the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the parole system to determine whether we have the balance right.

The specific incidents that the hon. member refers to I am not aware of. I was made aware of the allegations by the Ontario Police Association just a few minutes ago. I will undertake to investigate whether or not any federal prisoners were sent to any amusement park anywhere.

Rehabilitation, redemption, a return to society are admirable goals but studies show that pedophiles, particularly, do not seem to benefit from society's good will. This is ridiculous.

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