Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness of an issue important to the people of Saint John, New Brunswick and to Canadians all across this country.
The issue revolves around section 17 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
This past summer Willis Walter Wright, a man who was sentenced to two life terms in prison, was released on an ETA, an escorted temporary absence.
This move was of great concern to Violet Cooke and her family. Willis Wright was convicted of murdering Violet Cooke's sister Janice and a friend after Janice asked him for a divorce.
On Monday, November 9 this convicted murderer will be granted a second ETA. This is the second in a matter of five months and it comes after he has served only seven and a half years of his sentence.
After question period I intend to present the solicitor general with a petition of over 10,000 names opposed to the ETA program.
Janice Cooke was the mother of two and now her family once again is living in fear because of the ETA program.