Department of Justice

BLOC QUEBECOIS STALLS PASSAGE OF BILL C-45

OTTAWA, June 20, 1996 -- Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today expressed his disappointment that the Bloc Quebecois, by withholding its consent, has prevented Bill C-45 from being debated and passed by the House of Commons prior to the summer recess.

"I am very disappointed that the Bloc Quebecois has chosen not to allow this important piece of legislation to pass the House of Commons prior to the summer recess", stated Mr. Rock. "Bill C-45, when passed, will ensure that section 745 of the Criminal Code will only apply in the most appropriate cases", he added.

Bill C-45 makes significant changes to section 745 of the Criminal Code. The Bill would, in future, repeal the section for those convicted of taking more than one life, require a unanimous jury at a section 745 hearing and introduce a screening mechanism for all applications.

Ref.:     Jennifer Lang
          Minister's Office
          (613) 992-4621