Ottawa to introduce new bill to keep more mentally ill offenders behind bars

MONTREAL – The federal government is making it more difficult for mentally ill offenders found not criminally responsible for their crimes to be released from custody.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced the new proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, the latest in a series of tough-on-crime initiatives by the Conservative government that come after lobbying by victims groups.

The Tories plan to introduce a new bill in the House of Commons early next year that would make the safety of the public the paramount factor for review boards that determine an offender’s release.

The law exempts someone from being criminally responsible for an offence they committed if they were suffering from a mental disorder that rendered them incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of their action.

Nicholson said the government is working to ensure victims have a voice in the justice system.

The minister was joined in Montreal for his announcement by Sen. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, whose daughter was raped and murdered 10 years ago.