moved for leave to introduce Bill C-443, an act to amend the Criminal Code (reimbursement of costs following a free pardon).
Mr. Speaker, this bill deals with a totally different topic. Unfortunately sometimes, luckily not too often, Canadian citizens are victims of judicial errors.
One of my constituents, Michel Dumas—I can name him because he allowed me to do so—was the victim of a judicial error. He spent many years in jail and today he is probably going to be granted a pardon under section 690.
In introducing this bill to amend the Criminal Code, we are only asking that, in the very rare occasions—is it necessary to emphasize how seldom it happens—where an individual is convicted and then pardoned pursuant to section 690 of the Criminal Code, 100% of the compensation goes to the victim of the judicial error.
Unfortunately, it happens much too often that part of the compensation money serves to pay legal fees. We believe, as do the victims of judicial errors, that this is unfair.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)