moved for leave to introduce Bill C-311, an act to amend the Criminal Code (reimbursement of costs following a free pardon).
Mr. Speaker, I am introducing this bill, the purpose of which is to amend the Criminal Code, because it happens, very rarely, but it does happen, that there are judicial errors because of which innocent people must serve prison sentences, as is the case for a constituent in my riding, Michel Dumont.
This man is innocent. In all likelihood he will be granted a pardon, but whatever the compensation, he will have to subtract from it the amounts he owes in legal fees.
The purpose of this bill is to ensure that, in cases of judicial error, 100% of the compensation goes to the victim of the error, and legal fees are paid by the Governor in Council.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)