Ottawa, June 09, 2016 – The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee will begin its study of Bill S-217, also known as Wynn’s Law.
The Bill, championed by Michael Cooper, Member of Parliament for St. Albert-Edmonton and Ontario Senator Bob Runciman, requires the Crown to disclose at bail hearings if an accused has: a criminal record; is currently facing other criminal charges; or has failed to appear in court in the past.
The Bill is in response to the January 2015 murder of Constable David Wynn in St. Albert. At the time of the murder, Constable Wynn’s killer was out on bail, notwithstanding having an extensive criminal background, numerous outstanding charges, and a history of failing to appear in court. The killer’s criminal history was not disclosed at the bail application hearing.
MP Cooper is pleased with legislative progress that the Bill has made in the Senate. “It is encouraging that the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee is proceeding expeditiously to study the Bill. As a result, this much needed common-sense Bill is moving one step closer to becoming law.”
Ms. Shelly Wynn, the widow of the late Constable Wynn, along with MP Cooper and Senator Runciman will testify in support of Bill S-217 at the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on June 16, 2016.
