moved for leave to introduce Bill C-444, an act to amend the Criminal Code.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to introduce this private member's bill today.
The concept for it began when Craig Powell, Amber Keuben, Brandy Kueben and Stephanie Smith were all instantly killed by a drunk driver on June 23 near Morley, Alberta as they were returning from a camping trip.
The drunk driver in this case was Christopher Goodstoney. He was charged with four counts of criminal negligence causing death and one count of criminal negligence causing injury.
Criminal Code sentencing provides that a court must, in imposing a sentence, take into consideration various things including whether the offender is aboriginal.
I believe that all offenders should be treated equally. With this enactment the court would no longer be mandated to give special consideration because of race or ethnic origin.
I am happy to submit this bill on their behalf.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)