Madam Speaker, I also rise to speak on Bill C-3, the DNA identification act. The reintroduction of this important piece of public safety legislation speaks well about this government's commitment to toughen the fight against crime and to protect Canadians from criminal activity. It also shows our government has taken the findings of our country-wide consultations on this matter very seriously.
It is my belief that if enacted, Bill C-3 will serve two very important functions in our justice system. First, it will give our law enforcement agencies a valuable tool in the investigation of certain violent crimes. Second, it will help shield the innocent from wrongful accusation and conviction.
Bill C-3 will build on legislation passed in the last Parliament which allows police to obtain DNA samples from suspects in criminal investigations by the use of warrants. It calls for the creation of a national DNA data bank which many Canadians will be happy to know includes a convicted offenders index. DNA samples could be obtained from those convicted of a specified offence or who were previously convicted as dangerous offenders and repeat sexual offenders.
By sharing this information, law enforcement agencies would be better equipped to track and bring repeat offenders to justice. These agencies would be in a better position to quickly identify the work of a violent criminal who, after eluding prosecution for a criminal offence in one part of the country, might seek to violate the peace of another part of the country by the commission of further criminal offences.
The DNA data bank would play an invaluable role as a warehouse of potential evidence which could be used to solve countless unsolved crimes and put Canada's most heinous criminals behind bars. This is so because extensive scientific research has shown that with the exception of twins, no two people have the same DNA. Simply put, DNA is a biological fingerprint that can be as redemptive to the innocent as it is damning to the guilty.
Take the examples of David Milgaard and Guy Paul Morin. I believe all Canadians know of the lengthy struggles these men mounted to restore their good names and reclaim their freedom. Mr. Morin last week described the horrors of prison and the heartache of being mistaken for a murderer. The case of Mr. Milgaard who spent over 20 years in prison for a murder he did not commit is equally moving. Yet if not for the introduction of DNA evidence, it is likely that both of these men would still be in prison today.
Having said this, it should also be noted that the establishment of a national DNA bank is a delicate matter which requires Parliament to balance issues of public safety and those of personal privacy. I therefore applaud the solicitor general and his predecessor for the fine work they have done in achieving this balance.
Time does not permit detailed reference to sections of the bill, but I will highlight the following aspects of the legislation.
Under this bill access to DNA profiles in the convicted offenders index will be given only to those directly involved in the operation of the data bank. These are the agencies that at present have access to the existing criminal records database maintained by the RCMP.
Accompanying revisions to the Criminal Code would ensure stiff criminal penalties are assessed for any abuse of the system. Furthermore Bill C-3 guards against abuse right at the collection stage.
In the absence of a special warrant, only those convicted of designated offences can be required to provide DNA samples for forensic analysis. The right balance has been struck between public safety and personal privacy.
Some members across the way may argue that Bill C-3 goes too far and on the other hand not far enough, as we have already heard today, but we are confident that most Canadians will agree with our reasoned approach to this delicate and extremely important matter. To all hon. members, I would ask that when deciding the merits of the legislation, they think of the irrefutable and unbiased nature of the science involved. Also think of the efficiencies that will be realized in criminal data collection and court proceedings as a result of the provisions outlined in Bill C-3.
Most of all think of how far this legislation will go toward strengthening the Criminal Code and ensuring the safety of all Canadians.