Saturday, June 18, 2011
Canada - May will allow mega-trials crime bill to pass 2nd reading
OFF THE WIRE
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May speaks to CTV's Power Play on May 30, 2011
OTTAWA — Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is trying to play ball with the rest of Parliament to allow speedy adoption of a new mega-trials bill.
The Conservatives, Liberals and NDP all agreed to the unanimous consent needed to fast-track the bill into law before the House of Commons adjourns next week for its summer recess.
But May said she would vote against the latest Tory justice bill unless hearings were held to study it more in depth.
Now May says she'll allow it to pass through second reading this week after it was granted a day of committee hearings next week.
The parties agreed to pass the bill next Wednesday.
It is being rushed after a Montreal judge allowed 31 suspected Hells Angels to go free after a complicated trial plagued by delays last month.
May's apparent change of heart comes after Quebec's justice minister made a quick trip to Ottawa to lobby her earlier this week.
