“My Private Member’s Bill is about doing what is right, by ensuring criminal monsters such as Paul Bernardo (killer of St. Catharines/Niagara school girl Kristen French and Burlington, Ontario teen Leslie Mahaffy)… are returned to serve their sentences in a maximum-security penitentiary, where they rightly belong.” – Niagara Falls Federal Conservative Party MP Tony Baldinelli
A News Release from the Conservative Party of Canada
Posted June 9th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Ottawa, ON – Today (June 9th, 2026), Private Member’s Bill C-232, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Maximum Security Offenders), introduced by Tony Baldinelli, Conservative Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, will conclude second reading debate in the House of Commons. Members of Parliament are expected to have a chance to vote for the legislation tomorrow.
If passed, Baldinelli’s Bernardo Bill will require that inmates who have been found to be dangerous offenders or convicted of more than one first-degree murder be assigned a security classification of “maximum” and confined in a maximum-security penitentiary or area in a penitentiary.
“My Private Member’s Bill is about doing what is right, by ensuring criminal monsters such as Paul Bernardo, Mark Smich, Dellen Millard and Luka Magnotta are returned to serve their sentences in a maximum-security penitentiary, where they rightly belong,” Baldinelli said.
“Simply put, these individuals should never have been allowed to be transferred from maximum-security. Yet, that is exactly what has happened because of bad federal policy choices, made through amendments in Liberal Bill C-83, which were passed in 2019.”
If passed, this legislation will help restore Canadians’ confidence in our federal corrections system and show compassion for victims of crime and their loved ones who are forced to live with a lifetime of pain. The legislation has also found widespread support from police and victim advocates:
“As someone whose life has been forever impacted by violent crime, I know firsthand that victims and their families carry the consequences of these horrific acts every day. Canadians expect the most dangerous offenders to remain in maximum-security institutions, and Bill C-232 helps restore that common-sense principle while respecting the voices of victims.” – Marcia Penner, Victims’ Rights Advocate and Friend of Kristen French
“Community safety is strengthened when we continue to have thoughtful conversations about how our justice system responds to serious and repeat offenders. Police officers see every day the impact violent crime can have on victims and our entire community, which is why these discussions matter. Our focus remains on protecting the public while supporting victims and maintaining confidence in the justice system.” – Chief of Police Bill Fordy, Niagara Regional Police Service
“As a survivor, I understand the lasting fear and trauma that violent offenders can leave behind. I know the dangers that can exist when society fails to take the risks posed by the most dangerous offenders seriously. Bill C-232 sends a clear message that public safety matters and that the protection of Canadians must remain a priority.” – Alicia Googoo, Founder, Our Heart On Our Sleeve
“I made a promise to my constituents to see what I could do to help correct a bad policy decision made by the (then-Justin Trudeau led) Liberal government,” Baldinelli concluded. “I sincerely hope my colleagues will vote in favour of supporting this non-partisan and common-sense bill.”
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