The federal government has introduced several initiatives to get tough on crime since it took office, and the recent overhaul of the National Sex Offender Registry and DNA Data Bank is another part of the big picture.

I have been honoured to chair the parliamentary committee that put these programs under the microscope and on the road to improvement. The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security studied this legislation and made several recommendations to the government. Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan announced on June 1 that new proposed legislation will make the sex offender registry and DNA Data Bank more effective.

The government intends to improve the legislation so these programs can do more than help police solve crimes – it will help police prevent crimes, too. For the first time, convicted sex offenders will be required to provide a DNA sample to the DNA Data Bank. Police will be empowered to use the registry to avert sexual offences, unlike now where they can only use the registry to investigate crimes after they are committed.

People convicted and jailed for sex crimes in another country who return to Canada to serve the remainder of their sentence will now be registered in the Sex Offender Registry if the legislation passes. Canadians convicted abroad of sex crimes and returning to Canada at the end of sentence would also have to report their conviction to police within seven days of arriving in Canada or face criminal prosecution.

The government also proposes several administrative and operational enhancements to keep Canadians safer. Registered sex offenders would need to report the name of their employer, the type of employment, and identify their intentions to associate with volunteer organizations. They will be required to provide notice in advance of absences from their residence of seven days or more. Correctional authorities would also be permitted to notify the registration centre of the sex offender’s address where a registered sex offender is serving the custodial portion of a sentence temporarily in the community for a period of seven days or more.

Promoting the safety of our communities and our children has always been a goal of this government. The changes proposed to the National Sex Offenders Registry and DNA Data Bank are ample proof that we continue to deliver on behalf of all Canadians.

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The audio version of Garry's June 8, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here