OTTAWA – Before the House of Commons recessed, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, presented a petition regarding violent offenders.

He has been working with the family of Dylan Cole McGillis to better protect victims of violent crimes through strengthened legislation. He was very pleased to have had the opportunity to bring a message of support from thousands of Canadians to the House of Commons. The text of his speech – excerpted from Hansard – is below, and the video and audio clips of his presentation are available at www.leonbenoit.ca.

“Mr. Speaker, it is my honour, on behalf of Dylan Cole McGillis, an unsuspecting victim of an unprovoked, violent and fatal attack, and on behalf of thousands of other Canadian citizens who were victims of violent crimes, to present this petition.

“The petitioners request that the House of Commons introduce legislation whereby violent young offenders would be subject to mandatory minimum sentences regardless of age. A part of this, of course, we have done and more will be done.

“This petition has about 20,000 signatures and more are being collected. Many of these signatures are from the constituency of Battlefords—Lloydminster and many others from Vegreville—Wainwright. Anyone who would like to add their names to this petition can do so online at www.dylanmcgillis.ca.”

To download the video clip of Mr. Benoit’s presentation, visit www.leonbenoit.ca.

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