Some Conservative federal MPs are concerned about a bill that could see some serious crimes downgraded.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller is urging Canadians to voice their opinions on the bill, which is up for final reading in a week or so.
Federal justice committee member and MP Michael Cooper is concerned that Bill C-75 is expected to soon receive its third and final reading. He said it would reclassify over 100 solely indictable offences, making them hybrid offences that in some cases could be prosecuted as a summary conviction
Cooper said crimes like impaired driving causing bodily harm are included in the list of crimes being downgraded.
"We're talking about the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada each day, on average, four Canadians are killed at the hands of an impaired driver and dozens more are injured," he said.
Indictable offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years while summary convictions have a maximum sentence of two years less a day.
The government hopes that the options of prosecuting certain crimes in certain circumstances as summary convictions can help makes the justice system more efficient.
Justice Committee member and Niagara Falls MP Rob Nicholson said people can go to his website to see the whole list of changes.
Nicholson said he is astounded that crimes like kidnapping a child are included in the list of crimes being downgraded.
The government hopes that the option of prosecuting certain crimes in certain circumstances as summary convictions can help make the justice system more efficient.
