Conservative MP Pushes for Stricter Sentences on Non-Citizen Crimes

A Conservative Member of Parliament is advocating for tougher sentencing for non-citizens convicted of serious crimes in Canada. Following a troubling case involving a man who pleaded guilty to sexual offences against a minor, Michelle Rempel Garner introduced a private member’s bill aimed at preventing courts from showing leniency based on immigration status.

During a session in the House of Commons, Rempel Garner highlighted the case of a 47-year-old man who admitted to raping a 13-year-old girl and impregnating her twice. The incidents reportedly took place in Ontario, where the man met the victim at a convenience store in Bradford. Despite his conviction, the man was granted time to consider the implications of his guilty plea on his immigration status ahead of his sentencing hearing scheduled for January 2025.

Rempel Garner’s proposed legislation, known as Bill C-220, seeks to ensure that individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as sexual assault, cannot use their immigration status to negotiate lighter sentences. Under current Canadian law, permanent residents or foreign nationals sentenced to more than six months in prison are deemed inadmissible and may face deportation, a process that lacks appeal options.

In her remarks to the House of Commons, Rempel Garner stated, “Everyone in Canada should be equal before the law. No special treatment for non-citizen rapists, including the one who raped and impregnated a 13-year-old girl.” She expressed frustration over perceived leniency towards non-citizens who commit serious crimes, reiterating the need for her bill’s support.

Ruby Sahota, a Liberal MP, countered that existing provisions already address the issue. “If a non-citizen commits a crime and serves a sentence, they are removed from Canada,” she said, emphasizing that the Canada Border Services Agency prioritizes criminal cases for removal.

Rempel Garner argued that her bill would amend a specific clause in the Criminal Code to ensure that judges consider the implications of a convict’s immigration status when handing down sentences. She pointed out multiple instances where judges have issued conditional discharges or lenient sentences that allowed non-citizens to evade deportation.

In one example, a non-citizen from India received a conditional discharge for attempting to purchase sexual services from a minor. In another case, a visitor to Canada was convicted of groping an 18-year-old woman but was granted a discharge that enabled an appeal against deportation.

Rempel Garner stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the responsibilities of citizenship are taken seriously. “Being in Canada cannot just be about receiving privileges and benefits; it must also involve adhering to the responsibilities that come with that privilege,” she said.

As the debate continues, the proposed Bill C-220 awaits further examination by parliamentary committees. Rempel Garner remains determined to garner support for stricter measures against non-citizens who commit serious crimes, emphasizing the need for justice for victims and accountability for offenders.