moved for leave to introduce Bill C-297, an act to amend the Criminal Code (summary conviction penalties).
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in the House today to introduce a bill to amend the Criminal Code with respect to summary convictions.
Earlier this year the Minister of Justice introduced sentencing reforms but he did not go far enough. Many charges that should not be are all too frequently plea bargained down to summary convictions.
This bill provides for the maximum imprisonment on summary conviction to be increased from six months to two years. For minor offences a judge could still hand down a short sentence but for more serious crimes he or she could give up to two years.
Criminals need to be sent a message that the judge has the discretion to send them up the river for a two year stay at the Crowbar Hotel.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)