Justice and Human Rights

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights met to study Bill C-235, an act to amend the Criminal Code to increase parole ineligibility for offenders convicted of abduction, sexual assault and murder in a single incident. Witnesses included Jo-Anne Landolt, appearing as an individual; Dr. Benjamin Roebuck, Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime; and Superintendent Dale Weidman and Legal Counsel Simon Authier from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Jo-Anne Landolt, whose niece Kimberly Proctor was murdered in 2010, described the repeated trauma of parole hearings, including delayed notifications, postponed hearings over a year, and the emotional strain of preparing victim statements and travelling to hearings. She stated that the offenders show no accountability and that the system’s goal seems to be releasing offenders rather than supporting victims. She fully supports Bill C-235, arguing it would spare families from unnecessary hearing notifications and retraumatization, though she acknowledged it will not remove the pain of loss.

Dr. Benjamin Roebuck emphasized that Bill C-235 addresses real harm by delaying first parole hearings to give families stability, but noted that harm also comes from postponed hearings, travel burdens, and lack of information. He recommended that families receive clear early information about parole milestones, that longer intervals between reviews be considered for these narrow cases, and that his office receive legislative or regulatory support to access materials relevant to victim complaints about the parole process. He agreed that amendments strengthening the bill’s legal framework are in victims’ best interests.

Superintendent Dale Weidman, on behalf of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, supported Bill C-235 as a victim-centred and trauma-informed measure to reduce the number of parole hearings families feel compelled to attend. He stressed that denunciation and deterrence are primary considerations for these heinous crimes. Legal Counsel Simon Authier added that the bill must balance victims’ rights with offenders’ rights under section 12 of the Charter, warning that 40 years of parole ineligibility could be challenged as cruel punishment. He proposed amendments to clarify offenders’ right to appeal the ineligibility period and to provide judicial guidance on aggravating factors for periods exceeding 25 years.

The committee then proceeded to clause-by-clause study of Bill C-235, where members debated and voted on amendments. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill with amendments and ordered it reported to the House. The meeting concluded with agreement on the schedule for future work.