Mr. Speaker, we have to go back in time and remember that section 745 of the Criminal Code was slipped in but the effects of it, the consequences were not really appreciated at the time by the public. It took quite a while before these early untimely parole eligibility processes began to kick in. The press began to respond to the emerging public concern if not disgust, leading eventually to outrage when for example Clifford Olson laughed at parliament, Canadians and every misguided politician who supported the twisted logic of this section.
Section 745 has to go. It serves no positive benefit for the administration of justice. I have been on the line supervising parolees. I have heard all the games. It has no place in Canadian criminal law.
This section has been a focal point, a lightning rod, an example of something that brings the justice system and parliament into disrepute. Reformers will not rest until section 745 is gone. That is the people's agenda, the agenda from coast to coast. Thousands of names have been tendered in petitions here in this parliament on the subject.
We have had protest rallies on Parliament Hill and across the country on it. What does it take to get it done? Once it was mistakenly put in place it has been so long and so hard for Canadians to get government to correct the wrong done to the country.
Here again we have the topic before parliament and the Liberal members through their control of the system for private members' bills would not let a vote occur on my bill. However, it is still a national issue that will not go away. I brought my bill forward again to bring it up.
The House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights needs to deal with this topic as it considers victims of crime in its deliberations. Therefore, I propose a carefully worded motion to remind the government of its duty to Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you canvass for unanimous consent that Bill C-258, an act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review) be not read a second time but that the order be discharged, the bill withdrawn and the subject matter thereof referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to be included in its review of victims of crime.