Feds Urged to Push DNA Bill
Today is a big day for more than just Canada's DNA Databank! My husband and I are also celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary! Yup, it was 8 years ago today that we tied the knot! Time sure does fly!!
But that's not why you're reading...check out today's article re the DNA Bill and come back later for an update on my trek to the hill!
---------
Tue, May 10, 2005
Feds urged to push DNA bill
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, Parliamentary Bureau
Victims' advocates, police and political foes are urging the Liberal government to fast-track a DNA bill before sex-killer Karla Homolka is freed from prison.
At a meeting this morning, Conservative justice critic Vic Toews will demand Justice Minister Irwin Cotler "hive off" a retroactive section of the bill and rush it through the House of Commons that would allow authorities to collect genetic samples from Homolka before her release date in July.
"If we have disagreements on other parts of the bill, it won't impact on the rapid adoption of the retroactivity portion that affects Karla Homolka," Toews said.
OTHER OFFENDERS
"It's another mechanism to monitor her behaviour and to ensure she will not commit offences because we don't have the option of putting her on parole. It will assist police officers and will serve as a self-regulator on Homolka. If she knows we have the DNA, she can't get involved in another serious crime."
Tony Cannavino, president of the Canadian Professional Police Association, is also urging Cotler to act quickly before a potential election, noting Homolka isn't the only violent offender who could walk out without their DNA in the databank.
Albert Foulston, who's serving a 20-year sentence for manslaughter for his role in the murder of Edmonton Police Const. Ezio Faraone, is eligible for statutory release soon. Donald Armstrong, who murdered 15-year-old Linda Bright in 1979 in Kingston, is eligible for full parole.
Ottawa resident Carolyn Gardner, whose sister Sheryl was killed by Ralph Power in Toronto, called it a "no-brainer."
"Every day it's delayed poses a risk," she said. "Every day there are offenders who are released who are not in the DNA databank."
Gardner will be at today's meeting to make her case to Cotler.
"I don't want politics to get in the way of public safety," Gardner said.
kathleen.harris@tor.sunpub.com
But that's not why you're reading...check out today's article re the DNA Bill and come back later for an update on my trek to the hill!
---------
Tue, May 10, 2005
Feds urged to push DNA bill
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, Parliamentary Bureau
Victims' advocates, police and political foes are urging the Liberal government to fast-track a DNA bill before sex-killer Karla Homolka is freed from prison.
At a meeting this morning, Conservative justice critic Vic Toews will demand Justice Minister Irwin Cotler "hive off" a retroactive section of the bill and rush it through the House of Commons that would allow authorities to collect genetic samples from Homolka before her release date in July.
"If we have disagreements on other parts of the bill, it won't impact on the rapid adoption of the retroactivity portion that affects Karla Homolka," Toews said.
OTHER OFFENDERS
"It's another mechanism to monitor her behaviour and to ensure she will not commit offences because we don't have the option of putting her on parole. It will assist police officers and will serve as a self-regulator on Homolka. If she knows we have the DNA, she can't get involved in another serious crime."
Tony Cannavino, president of the Canadian Professional Police Association, is also urging Cotler to act quickly before a potential election, noting Homolka isn't the only violent offender who could walk out without their DNA in the databank.
Albert Foulston, who's serving a 20-year sentence for manslaughter for his role in the murder of Edmonton Police Const. Ezio Faraone, is eligible for statutory release soon. Donald Armstrong, who murdered 15-year-old Linda Bright in 1979 in Kingston, is eligible for full parole.
Ottawa resident Carolyn Gardner, whose sister Sheryl was killed by Ralph Power in Toronto, called it a "no-brainer."
"Every day it's delayed poses a risk," she said. "Every day there are offenders who are released who are not in the DNA databank."
Gardner will be at today's meeting to make her case to Cotler.
"I don't want politics to get in the way of public safety," Gardner said.
kathleen.harris@tor.sunpub.com
posted by Carolyn Gardner at 8:48 a.m. 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home