Attempt To Exempt Aboriginals From Bill C-25 Fails

Attempt To Exempt Aboriginals From Bill C-25 Fails

Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 14:30

Federal legislation that will remove a judge’s ability to give credit for time served in pre-trial custody is set to become law — without a proposed amendment that would have exempted Aboriginal people.

Bill C-25 passed third reading unamended in the Senate yesterday, and is now awaiting royal assent.

Liberal Senator Charlie Watt tried to include a clause that would have kept things they way they are for Aboriginal offenders, but the proposed clause was rejected.

Proponents of the bill argue the current setup — in which offenders can qualify for a two-for-one credit for time spent in remand — is resulting in abuse of the system, as cases make their way through the courts.

But Watt says First Nations and Metis offenders already serve longer sentences than others, and this bill will only add to their over-representation in penitentiaries, rather than provide them with rehabilitation programs.

Still, Watt is glad he had the opportunity to call attention to the plight of the Aboriginal prison population.