Some people use natural disasters as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable ... when there were fires in Quesnel some took the opportunity to loot, and people were outraged at that

Alan Forseth ~~ Kamloops, BC ~~ May 14th, 2019

Yesterday, Conservative MP Dan Albas tabled a Private Member's Bill,  As he stated in presenting it to Members of the House of Commons, the Bill (C-447) was one he believed would give Canadians some peace of mind that their property is protected from criminal activity during an evacuation order due to flooding or forest fires.

Albas observed that over the past couple of weeks we had seen the very best of Canadians, as people volunteered to help their neighbours struggling with flooding in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.

“In my home province of British Columbia, I’ve seen the same thing when people are fleeing high water or wildfires are welcomed with open arms into the homes and communities of their fellow Canadians”, Albas observed before continuing.

“However, some people use disasters as an opportunity to abuse that trust, and prey on the vulnerable through theft and looting”. 

Presented to the House of Commons, Bill C-447 is an Act to amend the Criminal Code (aggravating circumstance — evacuation order or emergency)

In summary the enactment amends the Criminal Code to provide that taking advantage of the fact that a place is under an evacuation order or is experiencing a natural disaster or emergency is to be considered an aggravating circumstance for sentencing purposes.

Albas was asked about the need for the Bill and responded to the question, and I am paraphrasing here, “... the area of Keremeos had a very difficult fire year ... Merritt was under flood ... the Okanagan had both floods and fires ... and when there were fires in Quesnel, people took the opportunity to loot and people were outraged at that...”

He continued, “One thing I heard over and over again, as I met with evacuees, and met with city councillors and mayors, was if there was some way that we could make it easier for those who are evacuated to help support them, and this is what I came up with as a common way to deal with this”

And in dealing with the issue, paragraph 718.‍2(a) of the Criminal Code would be  amended by adding the following after subparagraph (iii.‍1):

(iii.‍2) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, took advantage of the fact that the place where the offence was committed was under a lawful evacuation order or was experiencing a natural disaster or other emergency,

According to Albas, the act he is proposing will help give peace of mind to those who are fleeing natural disasters.

“If passed, they Bill will allow Judges to take into account natural disasters when sentencing criminals”. 

 

“When experiencing the most vulnerable times in their lives, people need to need to be concerned about their family’s health and their safety”, said Albas ... “not worried about their home being looted while they are away”

Again, when he was questioned about the need for his Private Members Bill he responded”

“Well, again like I said, this is a common sense provision and I hope that all parties would support this.  I know that I am not the only Member of Parliament that has had high water, that has had forest fires including those that have impacted in interface areas”.

“I would hope that all members of parliament that feeling strongly about that would speak to their collective caucuses and encourage support for the Bill”, he concluded.

To see the Bill click the following link: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentView…/…/bill/C-447/first-reading

To hear MP Dan Albas speak to the Bill Click the following link: https://www.facebook.com/DanAlbas4COSN/videos/293091504973651/