Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve a fair and just legal system. Yet this week marks the 17th anniversary of Patrick Kelly's incarceration for the murder of his wife.
Six years have passed since the key witness admitted she lied during the trial bringing the entire investigation and conviction into question. Since then Patrick Kelly has been fighting for a new trial.
In a split 2:1 decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, Judge Goudge felt Kelly had been denied justice because of the false testimony of the key witness and called for a new trial.
Last December I asked the justice minister to use her power to order a new trial or, at the very least, refer this case to the Supreme Court of Canada. We are still waiting for the minister's response.
This issue is not about guilt or innocence; it is about a fair and open justice system. Canadians, including Patrick Kelly, expect nothing less.