Sudbury MP’s bill would force criminals to pay restitution

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe has introduced a bill in the House of Commons that would require criminals to pay restitution to the victims of crime.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe introduced a private members’ bill Monday, proposing amendments to the Criminal Code that would force some criminals to pay restitution.

“I’m saying criminals should be made to pay and make restitution to those communities,” said Lapointe.

The bill would amend the code to enforce restitution by those convicted of drug and human trafficking charges.

If passed, restitution would be made to community organizations that she said provide critical frontline services.

“What I want to do is amend the Criminal Code to allow a judge to provide for restitution to communities they provide,” Lapointe said.

Restitution has been a legal concept in Canada since 2015 through the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. However, Lapointe said the language isn’t clear enough.

“It is important that restitution be provided to victims and their families,” she said.

‘Important step’

“Judges can provide restitution to communities, but they often don’t because communities are not well defined.”

Evie Ali from The Go Give Project in Sudbury said she hopes the bill succeeds.

“I think this is a really important step, not just in acknowledging the work that the frontline agencies are doing, but also some of the really big systemic gaps that are being filled by frontline workers at this time,” Ali said.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Lapointe said crime can have devastating impacts on communities.

“These impacts are far-reaching for victims, their families and also communities,” she said.

“Specifically, the community agencies that are providing support services -- often life-saving services -- to the victims.”

Lapointe said it will take around a year and a half before she finds out whether her bill will become law.

“It’s incredible to think that as a Member of Parliament from Sudbury, you have an opportunity to actually amend a law that’s enforceable across all of Canada,” she said.