Department of Justice

MINISTER'S STATEMENT ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Ottawa, August 29, 1997 -- In response to the resolution passed by the Canadian Police Association today calling for the return of the death penalty in certain cases, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Anne McLellan, issued the following statement:

"Capital punishment has been debated and voted on in free votes in the House of Commons twice in the past two decades. In 1976, Parliament voted to abolish capital punishment and in 1987 Parliament voted against reinstating it. It is not the intention of the Government of Canada to reinstate the death penalty," said Minister McLellan.

Ref.:   Pierre Gratton
        Minister's Office
        (613) 992-4621