moved for leave to introduce Bill C-475, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (credit for pre-sentencing custody).
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to introduce this private member's bill on behalf of my riding of St. Catharines and our country.
The proposed enactment will amend the Criminal Code to provide that a person who spends time in custody before sentencing will be credited for that time at a ratio of one day of credit for every day served. The ratio may be increased to one and one half days of credit for every day served if, and only if, the judge is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant it. However, a person who has been detained as a result of a breach of a condition of judicial interim release is not eligible to receive any extra credit for pre-sentencing custody.
Convicted criminals should do the time for the crime for which they are sentenced.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)