Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt I rise to demand that the federal government stand up and protect the rights of victims from violent young offenders.
It was only a few weeks ago that young offenders hijacked a school bus in my riding and threatened the lives of young students. This week another case of a young offender threatens some people in my riding.
Three years ago a young offender was convicted in the unprovoked shooting murder of 63-year old Edward Francis McDermott. He was convicted under the Young Offenders Act and sentenced to the maximum sentence, a ridiculous three years. The murderer is set to be released and four psychiatrists have testified that he is too dangerous to go back on the streets. The murderer is being described as a psychological time bomb. Crown counsel is trying to get around the Young Offenders Act to keep him in prison.
Penticton crown counsel should not have to find a loophole in the Young Offenders Act to protect society from violent young offenders. The Liberal government should act to make our streets, homes and playgrounds safe. So far it has failed.