OTTAWA – The Harper government is throwing its support behind a private member’s bill that would keep some killers behind bars for up to 40 years before they become eligible for parole.
The bill introduced by Manitoba Tory James Bezan would allow judges to impose sentences of up to 40 years without parole in particularly heinous cases.
Murders which involve a kidnapping or a sexual offence against the victim would draw automatic sentences of 25 years without parole eligibility and give judges the discretion to stretch that to 40 years.
Bezan says murderers now are eligible for parole hearings every two years after serving 25 years, forcing families to re-live their trauma.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the government will vote for the legislation.
He says it’s in keeping with the Conservative tough-on-crime agenda.
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