MP Cooper disappointed that Liberals put partisan politics ahead of public safety by opposing Wynn’s Law
MP Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton) expressed disappointment that the Liberal government will oppose Bill S-217, known as Wynn’s Law. Liberal opposition to the Bill was announced yesterday evening by Sean Casey, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, during the second reading debate of the Bill. Wynn’s Law was introduced after Constable David Wynn was shot and killed in the line of duty by a career criminal out on bail, because his criminal history was never presented at the bail hearing.
“It is disappointing that the Liberals have decided to put partisan politics ahead of public safety,” said Cooper.
“It is common-sense that the criminal history of an accused should be presented at a bail hearing. Yet under the Criminal Code it is discretionary for prosecutors to present this vital information. Wynn’s Law closes this loophole – a loophole that cost Constable Wynn his life.”
“The Liberals provided no compelling reason to oppose Wynn’s Law. Instead, for partisan reasons, they have abrogated their responsibility to protect the public by standing in opposition to common-sense legislation that will save lives.”
Bill S-217 was introduced in the Senate by Ontario Senator Bob Runciman earlier this year, and
sponsored by Cooper in the House. Bill S-217 passed the Senate by a wide margin last month, with the support of Liberal and Conservative Senators.
Senator Runciman said it was a “shameful display” by the Liberal government. “It’s the height of hypocrisy for the Liberals to suggest, as MP Casey did in his speech on S-217, that this Bill could contribute to court delays. This is the same government that has failed miserably in its responsibility to ensure judges are appointed to fill vacancies in a timely manner,” Runciman said. “The only obligation imposed by this Bill is to ensure an accused’s criminal record is introduced at a bail hearing – something that is already standard procedure in most courts in this country.”
Notwithstanding the Liberal government’s opposition, Cooper will continue to fight for the passage of Wynn’s Law. “This should not be a partisan issue. I will continue to lobby backbench Liberal MPs to the right thing, and help pass Wynn’s Law,” concluded Cooper.
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For more information, please contact: Dane Lloyd, Parliamentary Assistant, Office of Michael Cooper M.P.
613-996-4723 or by e-mail at michael.cooper@parl.gc.ca.
Typical liberal goverment with no comon sense about public saftey
This is a needed bill we as good hard working Canadians get treated as a bank and criminals get treated as if they are good people. You should lose all your rights the minute you commit a serious crime
The courts in canada do not have the power to put dirt bags were they belong
The criminal justice system in canada is a joke and has been ever since Trudeau senior brought in the young offenders act . This Wynns bill will help enform judges before the criminal are released to hurt good Canadians .remember them ?
So the “sunny day” Liberals feel this step would back log the system? How about the potential time saved by not having these re-offenders returning to court everytime they’re caught? Here’s a question to Mr. Trudeau… Would you hire anyone without getting references and their employment history? Especially if they would be working around your family and friends. Or would you take the time to check out their history to avoid any potential issues or dangers? My guess is the latter. Thats why We, the Canadians dont want those “bad employees” working around our family and friends…
Just a short note to thank you Mr. Cooper, for your efforts with this important piece of legislation. As a former resident of St. Albert now living in Three Hills (Kevin Sorenson’s riding), it’s comforting to know that we have excellent representatives speaking up for all of us in Parliament. It’s also disheartening to see time after time the lack of “common sense” that is “uh” displayed by the “uh” Trudeau government in stone-walling good legislation that would help to protect all Canadians and to my way of thinking is not “rocket science” (unless you are a liberal, I suppose). God bless you as you continue this challenge.
May you and your family enjoy a Very Merry Christmas.
As I recall this the second officer we have lost due to lack of info on the warrant. The officer went to the door identified himself and when the door opened he was shot in the face. The person he was serving was a know dangerous criminal.