He plans to discuss prison transfer with Public Safety Minister
Still waiting on the federal government for what it may do concerning the move of killer Paul Bernardo to medium security prison, from maximum security.
St. Catharines LIberal MP Chris Bittle acknowledged a Canadian Press story indicating debate on the matter may not happen unless the government moves it up the priority list.
"If the cabinet is discussing it, that's well beyond my pay grade, but the government can bring in separate legislation. I don't know if that's on the radar," he says.
He adds he'll be talking to the new Public Safety Minister on the matter.
The MP also pointed out a bill by Niagara Falls Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli to return the killer to maximum security has to go through government procedure. He adds Baldinelli can move the bill up the Conservative list of private members' bills to be looked at, but it also comes down to everyone feeling their potential legislation is just as important.
He adds the government has little control over a Conservative bill, but should it progress, it must go before committee and experts. "You amend the legislation, hear about all the consequences... because right now, looking at its face value, we say, oh, 100%... but if we start hearing from experts that there are problems with the bill, then it needs to be amended."
Paul Bernardo has been in prison since convicted of the St. Catharines murders of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy during the early 1990s.
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