Keep killers like Paul Bernardo in max-security, Poilievre says

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the Liberals to keep “multiple murderers” in maximum-security prison, as fallout continues over the transfer of convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security institution in Quebec.

And Ontario Premier Doug Ford is looking for the ouster of the federal corrections commissioner after the move, which was made public last week.

Anne Kelly, commissioner of the Correctional Service Canada, announced the transfer was under review after Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said he told how shocked Canadians were by the decision.

Mendicino says he is open to looking at the options when it comes to adjusting the government’s policy.

Speaking from the legislature, Ford said Canadians have lost confidence in Kelly’s decision-making and asked that she “step aside, step down or be fired.”

“Sorry for the language, but he’s nothing but a scumbag,” Ford said of Bernardo, whose transfer has also garnered widespread backlash from police associations in Ontario.

“This S.O.B. needs to be in jail 23 hours a day in a maximum security (facility).”

Bernardo is serving a life sentence for the kidnapping, torture and murders of 15-year-old Kristen French in 1991 and 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy in 1992. He was also convicted of manslaughter in the 1990 death of Tammy Homolka, the 15-year-old sister of his then-wife, Karla Homolka.

Bernardo also admitted to sexually assaulting 14 other women.

Mendicino has said he is unable to reverse the transfer decision because the federal correctional service operates as an independent institution.

But Poilievre said Tuesday he rejects that explanation and demanded Trudeau step in.

“I’m calling on the prime minister to direct his public safety minister to say that all mass murderers should have to serve their entire sentences in maximum security prisons,” Poilievre told reporters Tuesday.

“This is a no-brainer and the prime minister can do it. He’s got to stop passing the buck.”

Poilievre’s office has suggested that such power exists in the form of directives from ministers, which are typically used to address broad policy issues.

‘‘ This is a no-brainer and the prime minister can do it. He’s got to stop passing the buck.

PIERRE POILIEVRE CONSERVATIVE LEADER