As the Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, I am completely heartbroken over the heinous crimes that took place in our community of Hinton. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mchale Busch and Noah McConnell.
Knowing that a convicted sex offender had the freedom to commit two counts of second-degree murder and take two innocent lives is a complete failure of our justice system. This tragedy has highlighted the need for stricter laws surrounding the parole of sex offenders.
Cody Lee McConnell (spouse/father), started a petition on Change.org that will call on the government to:
Amend the Criminal Code of Canada sentencing provisions for repeat sexual offenders by requiring mandatory minimum sentences for offenders with multiple sexual assault convictions who are designated to be at high risk to reoffend and lifelong parole.
Further, require registered offenders to update their personal information, including address and contact information every month or face jail time.
I strongly support this petition and encourage everyone to take the time to sign it. These are reasonable amendments to the Criminal Code, and I promise to take these much-needed changes to Parliament.
I will be consulting with the Parliamentary Law Clerk and our Conservative Shadow Ministers for Justice and Public Safety and with their support I plan on introducing a Private Member's Bill entitled ‘Noah’s Law’. I will work towards all party support so that the law is changed once and for all.
Until then, I hope the family and friends of Mchale, and Noah can take solace as our community rallies around them offering our comfort and support in this agonizing times.
Gerald Soroka,
Yellowhead MP
