Justice Minister David Lametti said it was difficult and complicated for the federal government to follow a recent Supreme Court decision that removed the cumulative period of ineligibility for parole when looking at the Quebec mosque shooter’s case.
This accumulation was until recently possible by section 745.51 of the Criminal Code, added by the former government of Stephen Harper, but declared unconstitutional at the end of May by the country’s highest court.
The Trudeau government, which defended the provision in court, is assessing next steps in its role as legislator, and Lametti said Tuesday that the extension is very, very, very little to work with, if any.
It is difficult because the Court has clearly said it is unconstitutionalhe said, before going to a meeting of the Council of Ministers, noting that the highest court in the country had given its verdict unanimously.
Asked to indicate whether changes to the Criminal Code were possible, the minister answered a question. Is this possible? The use of despite the clause is always something that should do, I think, a big skepticism that is obviously after a [tel] court judgment we received.
He added that any use of beyond the clause should be followed a very serious thought and must occur after the court has decided a case. The Montreal MP, however, apparently excluded this option in the case of section 745.51 of the Criminal Code, reiterating that the recent Supreme Court decision was clear and unanimous.
The effect of the decision is that Alexandre Bissonnette, who killed six people in a shooting at a Quebec mosque in January 2017, will be able to apply for parole after serving 25 years of his life sentence.
The Supreme Court decision also ensures that any other offender who has served some cumulative 25-year period of disqualification will be able to seek compensation.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
