Harper looking to update pardon system

OTTAWA, Ont. – The Harper government is taking steps to revamp the system that grants pardons to criminals.

The prime minister made the announcement, Monday, noting that Karla Homolka will be eligible to apply for a pardon this year.

Harper said it is unacceptable that Homolka will be eligible to apply for a pardon this year, and that almost everyone who applies gets one.

Homolka was convicted in 1993 of manslaughter in the 1991 death of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, as well as the rape and death of Homolka’s sister Tammy, after taking a plea bargain.

He also finds it offensive hockey coach Graham James received a pardon for sexual-abuse convictions and can now travel without having to admit his criminal record.

Harper told a victim’s rights conference he will make up for previous governments that were too soft on criminals. 

“That, my friends, is how the laws have been written over the past few decades. Written when soft on crime attitudes were fashionable and concern for criminals took priority over compassion for victims.” said Harper.

According to the prime minister, the government will introduce new legislation by fall 2010 to tighten up the pardon system.

He said that he has been frustrated in the past few weeks by cases such as the James case, and that Canadians feel the same way.

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