OTTAWA – Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition has announced the party’s first steps in his plan to combat child abuse.
“As a father, I want to be able to look parents in the eye and say that I am doing everything in my power to make Canada a safer place to raise their children,” states Scheer. “As Prime Minister, I will ensure that Canada’s justice system reflects the value of every child across the country.”
A Conservative government will ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and that sentences for sexual crimes against children take into account the length and severity of the abuse.
“The wounds of sexual abuse last a lifetime and the penalty should fit the crime,” added Scheer. “Survivors of sexual abuse need to be assured that their government acknowledges their anguish and that the people who hurt them will be punished.”
The Conservatives state that “Most Canadians would be shocked to learn that many of those who commit the most heinous sexual crimes against children serve weak sentences, some as short as a few months”.
Thunder Bay-Superior North Conservative candidate Frank Pullia states, “The safety and welfare of children is very important and as the MP Conservative candidate for the Thunder Bay-Superior North Riding, it should be reassuring to every parent and family that our party takes this issue very seriously and proposing the kind of changes required to ensure that children and youth are protected from any kind of abuse or predatory practices”
“Just this week, the Liberals have said they want to repeal most minimum sentences in the Criminal Code. That will mean lighter sentences for gun crimes, drug crimes, and violent sexual offences,” said Scheer. “Under my leadership, a Conservative government will always put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of criminals. We will ensure that anyone who harms or sexually exploits a child will be behind bars where they belong for a very long time.”
“A society is judged by how it protects its most vulnerable. And there are few more vulnerable than young, defenceless children. Disturbingly, while progress has been made reducing crime in many areas, the sexual violation of children is on the rise.”Despite this fact, over the past four years, the Liberals have not introduced any new legislation for child sexual offences.
Why Action is Needed
“Sentences for horrific crimes involving children are woefully inadequate, often being as little as a few months for the most disturbing cases.
“Currently, the length and extent of abuse are not taken into account when considering the appropriate sentence for the sexual abuse of a child.
“Canada has seen a disturbing number of child molesters, child rapists and child pornographers released from pitifully short prison sentences even when they have been deemed at a high-risk to re-offend.
“Just this week, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals said they want to scrap mandatory minimum sentences all together, which could mean lighter sentences for criminals who harm children.
Andrew Scheer’s plan to protect Canadian children:
“An Andrew Scheer led Conservative government will put the safety of children first and ensure that those who seek to harm them will face the full weight of Canada’s justice system.
“We will ensure that victims’ voices are heard and that sentences for sexual crimes against children take into account the length and severity of the abuse by adding aggravating factors to the Criminal Code.
“And we will end the practice of giving those who harm children a mere slap on the wrist, by ensuring that anyone who is convicted of a serious sexual offence against a child serves at least 5 years in prison.”
