Ottawa, Feb. 3, 2016 – Michael Cooper, MP for St. Albert-Edmonton and Senator Bob Runciman announced the introduction of Wynn’s Law in the Senate.
Bill S-217, introduced this afternoon, requires the Crown to make it known at bail hearings if the accused has: a criminal record; is currently facing other criminal charges; or has failed to appear in court in the past. This Bill is in response to the murder of RCMP Constable David Wynn in St. Albert, Alberta in January 2015. His murderer had been on bail at the time of the killing, notwithstanding his extensive criminal record. Evidence of the killer’s criminal history was not led at the bail hearing.
Senator Runciman strongly believes in this legislation: “Michael Cooper and I had the same idea about introducing this measure. Unfortunately, he was unlucky in the draw for consideration of Private Members’ Bills and was far down on the priority list. We both thought the best chance of success was to introduce a bill in the Senate.” MP Michael Cooper enthusiastically backed the idea of jointly introducing Wynn’s Law legislation.
“By introducing this Bill in the Senate, we are seeking to ensure that Wynn’s Law becomes a reality in the near future. This is common sense legislation that will close a glaring loophole in
the the bail application process.”
