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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 7, 2001

OTTAWA - The Canadian Bar Association's National Criminal Justice Section opposes Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (organized crime and law enforcement), saying the sweeping changes are unnecessary and will place law enforcement personnel and their agents above the law.

The legislation would create an exemption from criminal liability for law enforcement personnel who commit crimes, a move the CBA vigorously opposes. "The proposals assume that all police officers act in good faith at all times, but past experience has unfortunately shown that while this is generally the case, it is not always so," says Greg DelBigio, of Vancouver, a member of the National Criminal Justice Section executive.

The CBA National Section maintains that legal tools to combat organized crime already exist. "Measures to toughen up the law may erode constitutional values essential to Canadian democratic principles, without the promise of making any real difference," adds Greg DelBigio.

The Section notes that any illegal act by state agents should be a last resort, after other investigative methods have failed, and should be authorized by a judge. While the Section recommends giving law enforcement departments adequate resources to properly carry out their work, they caution that legislative amendments are not a quick fix for complex social problems.

The CBA notes that the legislation is being given short shrift given the timing of the government's consultation process. "We feel that more time should be taken to review such a fundamental shift in law," says Mr. DelBigio. "The Parliamentary Committee has scheduled only two days of hearings scheduled on very short notice."

The CBA's submission will be presented by Greg DelBigio to the Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Tuesday, May 8, 2001 at 3:30 p.m., in Room 308, West Block.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, notaries, law teachers and students across Canada are members.

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CONTACT: Hannah Bernstein, Canadian Bar Association, 500 - 865 Carling Ave. , Ottawa, ON, K1S 5S8 Tel: (613) 237-2925, ext. 146; E-mail: hannahb@cba.org.