National Police Federation taking aim at early parole eligibility

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on January 26, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The National Police Federation is voicing their feelings about early parole eligibility for convicted police killers in the wake of Justin Bourque’s application being heard on Feb. 15.

Justin Bourque is convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder of Moncton RCMP officers in 2014.

He was originally sentenced to three life sentences and ineligibility for parole. But since then a Supreme Court of Canada decision struck down parole ineligibility beyond 25 years for those convicted of multiple murders.   

Bourque has applied for a modification to his parole eligibility, which will be heard by the New Brunswick Court of Appeal on Feb. 15, 2023.  

“From our perspective, I think our membership and Canadians will find this offensive,” said Brian Sauvé, president, NPF.

He said there will be a large RCMP presence front and centre to make sure the parole board never grants him the light of day.

“Over the past six months, five Canadian police officers have been killed on duty, and against the backdrop of evolving criminal activity, a deficit of police resources and funding, and the increased revolving jailhouse door, leniency for a convicted police killer would be another slap in the face to those who serve, and to all Canadians,” said Sauvé.

He said the NPF is also supporting the Canadian premiers’ unanimous call for the Government of Canada to take immediate action to strengthen Canada’s bail system.

“The National Police Federation strongly advocates for governments at all levels to invest in policing and address the root causes of crime. While Canadian policing is among the most highly regulated in the world, our legal framework has become a ‘court system’ rather than a ‘justice system’. This latest example is particularly egregious, and we’ll be watching the application closely on behalf of our members,” said Sauvé.

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