SoVote

Bill C-325

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

October 18, 2023

Bill C-325 aims to make amendments to the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act in Canada. The bill creates a new offense for the breach of conditions of release and requires the reporting of those breaches to the appropriate authorities. It also prevents certain offenders from serving their sentence in the community. Specifically, the bill introduces a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment for individuals who fail to comply with conditions of parole or statutory release. Additionally, it excludes individuals convicted of certain offenses from serving their sentence in the community. The bill also requires parole supervisors to report breaches of conditions to relevant authorities. This bill is available on the House of Commons website.

Steelman Argument: Bill C-325 is an important piece of legislation that aims to address the issue of individuals breaching their conditions of release and serving their sentences in the community. By creating a new offence for the breach of conditions of conditional release, the bill ensures that there are consequences for individuals who fail or refuse to comply with their parole or statutory release conditions without reasonable excuse. This amendment to the Criminal Code will deter individuals from breaking their conditions and provide transparency regarding these breaches by requiring the reporting of such incidents to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, the bill amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to preclude individuals convicted of certain serious offences from serving their sentence in the community. This provision is crucial as it prioritizes public safety and ensures that offenders who have committed seri

Steelman Argument Opposing Bill C-325: The proposed amendments in Bill C-325 may not be the most effective approach to addressing the issue of breach of conditions of conditional release and serving sentences in the community. While it is important to ensure public safety and hold individuals accountable, there are potential drawbacks and unintended consequences to consider. Firstly, creating a new offense for the breach of conditions of conditional release may lead to an overcrowding of the criminal justice system. Imposing imprisonment for breaches could result in individuals being sent back to correctional facilities for relatively minor violations, taking up valuable resources and space that could be better utilized for more serious offenders. This could also contribute to increased costs for the correctional system and potentially hinder efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders into society. Secondly, requiring the r