Judge Nunn contradicts Cons, says C-10 goes “too far”

OTTAWA — Conservatives have repeatedly claimed that their crime bill is based on a study by Judge Melvin Nunn, but the judge spoke out this week against the bill, declaring the government was going too far.

On Wednesday, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Justice, Robert Goguen, once again told the House of Commons that “Bill C-10 is based on an important study signed by Judge Nunn. This study led to amendments to the law to protect the public against young offenders.”

“Judge Melvin Nunn may well have done a study, but even the judge agrees the Conservatives are going too far with their bill,” said NDP Deputy Justice Critic, Françoise Boivin (Gatineau). “Judge Nunn was very clear in an interview this week. He shares the concerns of Quebecers and other critics of this bill.”

According to New Democrats, once again, the Conservatives are putting politics ahead of good laws and protecting public safety.“They’re ignoring the opinions of the provinces and crime experts who are tuned in to the reality of Canadians,” said Boivin. “Canadian families and provinces want more font-line police officers, not massive costs for a wrong-headed prisons agenda.”