Liberal Loophole Allows Another Sex Offender to go Unpunished

March 12, 1999

OTTAWA-Today, Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River and Official Opposition Justice Critic for Conditional Sentencing, criticized the legal loophole created by the Liberal government which allowed Paul Gervais to walk away from nine counts of sexual assault yesterday.

"Paul Gervais was convicted of sexually assaulting nine boys. But, because of a Liberal loophole called conditional sentencing he left the courthouse and went home. How can the Justice Minister defend this? This is just the latest in a flood of unjust, lenient sentences. Reformers warned this government that this would happen three years ago, but they wouldn’t listen," stated Hill.

Hill went on to demand an immediate change to the Criminal Code in order to ensure that violent offenders like Paul Gervais spend time in jail for their crimes. The government responded that it may intervene… "if necessary".

"Violent criminals are being set free into our communities without penalty. It is necessary for these people to be punished, it is necessary for our communities to be safe from these criminals, and it is necessary for the victims of violent crimes to know that their attackers will be punished. Where is the deterrence when a paedophile is sent home like a wayward school child?" Hill questioned.

In February, Mr. Hill introduced a Private Member’s Motion (M-577) calling on the government to make those convicted of dangerous crimes including: murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and all other classifications of assault including child and spousal abuse, ineligible for a conditional sentence.

"The Minister may not want to change the law, however, I have a Private Member’s Bill in the works and with the support of concerned people from all across the country, we can hopefully convince her otherwise," Hill concluded.