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Justice Reform
A. The Reform Party recognizes that child abuse and family violence attack the very foundations of organized society. The Party supports enacting, communicating, and enforcing laws that protect family members against such acts. Effective programs aimed at prevention of family violence will be a priority.
A. The Reform Party supports repealing the Young Offenders Act and establishing a definition of juvenile offender within the Criminal Code. Until such time, the Reform Party supports amending the Young Offenders Act so that it will:
A. The Reform Party supports a judicial system which places the punishment of crime and the protection of law-abiding citizens and their property ahead of all other objectives.
B. The Reform Party maintains that the right of citizens to use all reasonable means to protect themselves and their property against criminal acts should have priority over the rights of the offender.
C. The Reform Party supports granting victims of crime official standing in court and parole hearings, and requiring courts and parole boards to review victim impact statements before sentencing. To the greatest extent possible, victims should be compensated by offenders for financial loss resulting from criminal acts.
D. The Reform Party supports a national Victims' Bill of Rights, which would restore a balance within the criminal justice system by placing the rights of victims above the rights of the criminal.
E. The Reform Party supports greater certainty in sentencing by introducing a sentencing guideline grid in the Criminal Code. Some low risk offenders should have access to reduced sentences by successfully completing a regimented life-enhancement program.
F. The Reform Party supports adding a new definition to the Criminal Code which deems any person who commits on two or more separate occasions an offence causing serious personal injury a dangerous offender and subject to an indeterminate period of imprisonment.
G. The Reform Party opposes granting voting privileges to convicted prisoners.
H. The Reform Party supports amending the Criminal Code to allow police with probable cause to demand DNA samples from crime suspects.
I. The Reform Party supports reviewing the right of judges to place publicity bans on trials.
J. The Reform Party supports repealing section 745 of the Criminal Code. All persons convicted of first degree murder should be imprisoned for life, with no chance of parole or conditional release in any form for twenty-five years.
K. The Reform Party supports legislation that prevents criminals from collecting damages from private citizens for injuries sustained during a criminal act, including injuries resulting from a victim's attempt at self-defence. Self-defence includes any justified use of force.
L. The Reform Party would support legislation that would allow the publication of the names of all convicted offenders, including young offenders.
M. The Reform Party supports eliminating the immigration appeal process for non-citizens convicted of an indictable offence. Offenders should be deported once convicted or after serving their sentence, as determined by the court.
N. The Reform Party believes that any adult convicted of helping a young offender commit a crime should pay the same penalty as if the adult committed the crime personally. Adults contributing to the delinquency of a minor should also be charged.
O. The Reform Party supports legislation requiring criminals to serve sentences for multiple convictions consecutively, not concurrently.
A. A Reform Government will introduce legislation to severely punish the criminal misuse of firearms and protect the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms.
B. The Reform Party recognizes the need for broad public consultation in formulating firearm legislation, including opinions of law enforcement officers, informed firearms owners, and other Canadians.
C. The Reform Party supports repealing Bill C-68 and replacing it with a workable and practical alternative which will include severe automatic penalties for those who use firearms in criminal acts. Plea bargaining on firearms offences will not be allowed.
D. The Reform Party supports mandatory training and testing for first time owners prior to obtaining a firearm.
E. The Reform Party opposes measures which permit the government to confiscate legally obtained firearms from law-abiding citizens. The Reform Party opposes changes to firearms legislation through Order-in-Council.
A. The Reform Party supports requiring violent offenders to serve their full sentences. Once released, some violent offenders and all repeat offenders should be under parole supervision for the rest of their lives.
B. The Reform Party supports permitting low risk inmates to participate in civic or business projects which enhance their skills and prepare them for productive life after release. Day parole should only be granted to non-violent offenders attending projects within the community. A portion of the money earned from such work should be directed towards victim compensation. Early release and parole should be directly related to successful participation in work projects.
C. The Reform Party supports amending the Criminal Code to adopt a specific sexual predator law that ensures continued monitoring, even after such convicts are released from custody. Prior to release, sexual predators should be examined by a panel of experts to certify that the offender does not pose a threat to society.
D. The Reform Party opposes the selection of parole board members on the basis of patronage. Parole board members should be chosen based on merit, and should be properly trained in the justice process.
A. The Reform Party supports replacing the current system of appointing federal judges with a democratic and accountable method.
B. The provincial legislatures, rather than the Prime Minister, should make appointments to the Supreme Court and all courts where judges are currently appointed by the Federal Government. Appointments would be ratified by a Triple-E Senate, and would be considered acceptable only if they have been made by a vote of the legislature, rather than by means of selection by the premier or provincial government.
C. The Reform Party supports adequate regional representation on the Supreme Court.
D. The Reform Party supports appointing Supreme Court justices for fixed, non-renewable terms of ten years.
A. The Reform Party supports the traditional role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as a police force representative of and responsive to the populations it serves in Canada's regions.
Authorized by Reform Fund Canada, Official Agent for the Reform Party of Canada / L1402
©1996, Reform Party of Canada