We Needed One Law for All

Ottawa, ON - Today, the Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner, Conservative Shadow Minister for Immigration, released the following statement after the Liberals voted against Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (immigration status in sentencing):

"Canadians believe in fairness; in a country where all are equal under the law. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. We now have a two-tier justice system after the Supreme Court permitted judges to consider immigration status when sentencing.

"That's why back in the fall, I introduced Bill C-220, which would amend the Criminal Code to expressly outline that any potential impact on the immigration status of a convicted non-citizen offender, or that of their family members, should not be taken into consideration by a judge when issuing a sentence.

"This problem has a very human face: the victims for whom justice was not served. There have been numerous cases where non-citizens have been given sentencing discounts because of their immigration status, including:

• A permanent resident received a conditional sentence after being convicted of trying to purchase sexual services from a 15-year-old;
• A non-citizen on a visitor's permit, convicted of twice groping an 18-year-old woman's genitals, received a discharge to avoid a permanent criminal record and allow a deportation appeal;
• Aswin V. Sajeevan, a former international student, received just 5.5 months after spying on female housemates as they used the bathroom, including creating videos of them undressing, after the judge considered 'the potential for immigration consequences'; and
• Roosevelt Rush, a drug smuggler, caught with 55 grams of cocaine while on bail awaiting sentencing for previous drug and gun offences, received a sentence of only 12 months - half of what the judge said his crimes deserved - partially because of his immigration status.

"The government's decision to reject these reforms is irresponsible at a time when Canadians are facing crime and disorder on our streets. It also undermines our deeply-held ideal of equality under the law.

"Once again, the Liberals have failed to end their two-tier justice system, where Canadians receive harsher sentences than foreign nationals. While disappointing, Conservatives will never stop fighting to restore safe streets and sane immigration policies so that all Canadian families can be safe and secure."