A petition inspired by Genoa "Genni" May, the three-year-old girl raped and murdered in Sechelt 25 years ago, has racked up signatures in the thousands with hopes for the passage of two federal bills to change how the justice system deals with criminals.
Genni's family placed the petition in public places around the Coast late last year after going through the painful ordeal of seeing her killer face potential parole. The petition calls for support for parliament to pass Bill C-39 , which would reform parole laws and put more emphasis on victims, and Bill C-48, which would allow judges to sentence offenders who have committed multiple murders to consecutive life terms.
Clark Hamilton, who is now married to Genni's mother Linda, said petitions have just over 1,500 signatures each.
"It's fairly overwhelming considering the number of people in our community," Hamilton said. "I think the response was pretty positive."
He said his family's experience has highlighted a need for change, especially with the way victims are left to navigate the parole system.
"We really hope they pass those. It's really time that the citizens got some representation and rights in terms of the judicial system. It's appalling that the victims are left out there to dry and the criminals are getting all the consideration and all the privacy and everything else you can think of," he said. "There's something way, way out of whack, like the criminals wrote the laws."
Hamilton said he hopes the bills find support from all parties in parliament before being passed.
John Weston, member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, delivered the first, albeit small, portion of the petition to the House of Commons on Dec. 15.
"Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I present two related petitions," Weston said. "The petitioners act in the name of Genoa Jean May, Genni, who 25 years ago, at age three, was kidnapped, raped and murdered. The petitioners believe that the parole system should be changed and they present 151 signatures in support of Bill C-39, and 156 signatures in support of Bill C-48, asking that the system be changed to give more fairness to victims of crime."
In a later interview, Weston said he would present the rest of the signatures to Parliament when he returns to Ottawa.
Weston said Genni's family is remarkable for their efforts in adversity and that he will push to see both bills passed.
"They're an amazing family and I think they have all the virtues you would want to see in any noble Canadian in that they've suffered tremendously from their loss and they're continuing to think of their community and of other people," Weston said.
