A bill to entrench consideration of victims' rights in parole decisions died on the order paper just prior to the federal government being defeated on March 25.
Bill C-39 was inspired by the parole eligibility of the man who kidnapped and murdered three-year-old Genoa Jean May in Sechelt in 1985.
West Van-couver - Sun-shine Coast - Sea to Sky Country member of Par-liament John Weston presented the petition, saying the legislation would be revived if the Conservatives are re-elected in the May 2 election. But the process of getting the bill through the political process would have to start from scratch.
"Many bills died and that is another additional cost of this unnecessary election," Weston said in an interview with Coast Reporter, April 5.
"Bill C-59 did receive royal assent and this bill does help to tighten rules for eligibility dates for parole. It certainly doesn't capture everything that was in Bill C-39, but it is a start."
Weston said typically these bills go to a committee for a discussion.
"I'm hopeful that we can remind a future committee of a future Parliament that people's voices were very strong and loud on this issue," he said.
Weston added that although the petition cannot be presented in Parliament a second time, it's part of the record of the last session and won't be forgotten by MPs if the bill is re-introduced.
The other bill that was part of the petition drive -C-48, making it possible to sentence multiple murderers to consecutive life terms -received royal assent just two days before the Conservative government fell.
"I admire the family of Genoa Jean May to be able to take their personal tragedy and try to turn it into something that would benefit all Canadians. I fully support their cause," Weston said.
