To all:- I wrote to Mr. Peter Mackay when Christopher's Law was passed in Ontario, in memory of Christopher Stephenson. Bill C-7 does not deal with census, I know -- but could affect any of us. I thank Mr. Peter MacKay, MP (Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough) for presenting this Bill and its safe passage. Hopefully the next memo from Peter will be a large YES for census release. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> ====================================== June 16, 2000 Mrs. Muriel Davidson davidson3542@home.com Dear Ms. Davidson, Thank you for your correspondence, dated May 11, expressing your support of laws to protect citizens from convicted sex offenders. Bill C-7 (formerly known as Bill C-69) will serve to protect the public upon the release of a pardoned sex-offender from prison. Bill C-7 introduces amendments to the Criminal Records Act that makes the criminal records of pardoned sex offenders available for background checks upon inquiry by interested parties. As Members of Parliament, we need to focus on every available avenue to protect society from sexual predators. Sexual assault is not only an issue of sex; it is an issue of power and control. This is most true when it comes to the disclosure of information to protect those in our society who are most susceptible. I am referring to children who are most vulnerable when exposed to individuals who have been convicted of sexual assaults and may pose a threat of reoffending. The lasting effects on the victims are incalculable in both the long and short term. There is a high rate of recidivism among sex offenders so I was troubled by the potential of unknowing parents leaving their children in the care of a pardoned sex offender. The law had prohibited access to the file of a pardoned sex offender by community organisations or a police department. Bill C-7 provides the necessary protection from pardoned sex offenders by vetting each request and striking a balance between those who have a right to know and the need for confidentiality. It allows access to previously unavailable records of pardoned individuals. As the Progressive Conservative Justice and Solicitor General Critic, I have worked hard to ensure that Bill C-7 received passage through the House of Commons. All Members of the Progressive Conservative Party supported this Bill which helped the legislation pass through the House before last year's summer recess. At the end of 1999, Bill C-7 was returned from the Senate with amendments. The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs cited concerns that stemmed from a lack of any express reference to the intent of the Bill to pertain to records of pardoned sexual offences. Therefore, the word "sexual" was added to clause 6 of the Bill in order to make it clear that it is only sexual offences that would be flagged under the proposed system. Also, the schedule of sexual offences, along with important terms such as "children" and "vulnerable persons" were removed from the regulations and placed in the bill itself. Moving the schedule of offences into the legislation allows these offences to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny whereas if they remained in the regulations, they would be left to the discretion of the Governor in Council. Finally, the term "handicap" is deleted from the definition of "vulnerable persons." The committee noted that the use of the term "handicap" is no longer acceptable in today's society. It is no longer the practice to use the term in legislation. The Senate feels that these changes to Bill C-7 have ensured a clear, narrow and limited exception to the Criminal Records Act. They feel that these changes respect sections 7 and 8 of our Constitutional Charter to protect privacy. Therefore, they feel that they have maintained the balance between the rehabilitative objectives of the pardon system and the need to protect children and other vulnerable groups in society. The Solicitor General made these changes and Bill C-7 returned to the House of Commons where it passed, with these minor amendments, on February 14, 2000. The Bill then received Royal Assent from the Senate on March 30, 2000 and became law. I feel that this is a good piece of legislation and thus, I was pleased that Parliamentarians put Party differences aside and passed this much-needed legislation. Bill C-7 sends a message that Canadian society will not tolerate offences against children and we will continue to stress the protection of those most vulnerable in our society. Once again, thank you for your interest in this issue and for entrusting this office. Yours truly, Peter G. MacKay, MP PC Party Justice Critic