Conservative MP tables harsher sentencing bill for sex offenders

Conservative MP Rachael Thomas has tabled a private member’s bill that would require courts to impose consecutive prison sentences, rather than concurrent ones, for sexual offences.

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Conservative MP Rachael Thomas has tabled a private member’s bill that would require courts to impose consecutive prison sentences, rather than concurrent ones, for sexual offences.

Bill C-246, which Thomas has called the Ending Sentence Reductions for Sexual Predators Act, seeks to amend the Criminal Code so that penalties for each conviction of a sexual offence must be served one after another, rather than at the same time.

“Sexual predators will no longer be able to ‘stack’ their crimes and walk away with a reduced sentence,” Thomas said in a statement Tuesday. “Each crime will carry its own penalty, and each victim will receive the recognition they deserve.”

The Lethbridge MP argued current rules often treat multiple assaults as a single offence, undermining deterrence, minimizing harm and eroding public confidence in the justice system.

“Since 2015, sexual assaults are up nearly 75% while offences against children are up 120%,” Thomas said. “Canadians deserve a justice system that puts victims’ rights first.”

Under the bill, a judge sentencing someone for a sexual offence would be required to order that sentence served consecutively to any other sentence for a sexual offence handed down at the same time, or any sentence already in effect.

Thomas, the Conservative critic for Canadian identity and culture, said the measure ensures sentencing reflects the gravity of each crime and the distinct harm caused to victims.