SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Tako Van Popta

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 5, 2023
Context: Extradition Law Reform (JUST) - Oct/5/23
Mr. Tako Van Popta (Langley—Aldergrove, CPC)
  • 04:30:35 p.m.
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Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, witnesses, for being here. On behalf of all of us, I apologize for the delay. We had very important work in the House of Commons today, voting on precisely the bill we're discussing here, Bill S‑12. Thank you for being here and thank you for lending your expertise to this very important discussion. Bill S‑12 is about amending the Criminal Code as it relates to the national sex offender registry. That discussion was instigated by a Supreme Court of Canada decision, R. v. Ndhlovu. I just want to quote from the minority. It was a split decision of five to four. The minority cited evidence that was apparently before the trial judge. In their opinion, “offenders convicted of a sexual offence are five to eight times more likely to reoffend than those convicted of a non-sexual offence.” They also said that “it cannot be reliably predicted at the time of sentencing which offenders will reoffend.” Then the minority came to this conclusion: “In the face of that uncertain risk, Parliament was entitled to case a wide net.” We had the Minister of Justice here just the other day. He made reference to social science data that, in his opinion, supported this current legislation, Bill S‑12, which I would say has a lower standard when it comes to making it mandatory to have people registered on the sex offender registry. Are you aware of the data he was referring to? Does it contradict the evidence that apparently was before the trial judge and that the minority judges refer to?
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Context: Extradition Law Reform (JUST) - Oct/5/23
Mr. Tako Van Popta
  • 04:34:06 p.m.
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I want to zero in on sexual offences against children. Bill S-12 requires it to be mandatory that a person's name be listed in the registry if they are convicted of a sexual offence against a child, but only if it was prosecuted by way of indictment and the sentence was at least two years. Why is it not for offenders—child molesters—who were prosecuted by way of summary conviction? Aren't they equally dangerous?
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