Conditional Sentencing in Cases of Impaired Driving Causing Death or Bodily Harm

Honourable Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader, Bloc Québécois

Honourable Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader, New Democratic Party

Honourable Members,

The Canada Safety Council (CSC) is Canada’s national, not-for-profit, knowledge based safety organization. Please visit our website.

The attached letter dated February 15 on conditional sentences, the contents of which are self-explanatory, addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be of particular interest.

Indeed, controversy surrounds the use of conditional sentences for serious crimes. Some feel conditional sentences are too lenient and want them eliminated. Others believe a carefully tailored conditional sentence can sometimes provide better public protection than a prison sentence.

Conditional sentences imposed in serious impaired driving cases have been called a “travesty of justice.” The public perception is that they are quite lenient, but are very often used for impaired driving crimes causing death and injury.

The Canada Safety Council commissioned the groundbreaking study by Professors Paciocco and Roberts to obtain an objective analysis upon which to base its policy position. The findings have convinced us that conditional sentences for impaired driving causing death or bodily harm are being used appropriately and that they are a good option from a safety perspective because they can address risk factors such as alcohol dependency, relationships and attitude.

The bottom line is that for crimes related to impaired driving removing sentencing options could compromise public safety.

As the House of Commons debates the Government’s proposed crime legislation, which includes ending conditional sentences for serious crimes, we respectfully call upon you to examine and reference this very important study in the interest of the safety of all Canadians.

Sincerely,

Emile-J. Therien
President, Canada Safety Council