SURREY - Local MPs from both sides of the House are calling on the Conservative government to better protect society from dangerous offenders following the death of Surrey teen Serena Vermeersch.
Her alleged killer, Raymond Lee Caissie, 43, is a violent high-risk sex offender who was released into the community in the summer of 2013, under supervision, with 12 courtordered conditions. He is expected to appear in Surrey provincial court on Thursday, Oct. 2. Justice Minister Peter MacKay said in the House of Commons last week the government is committed to ensuring the "worst of the worst" face serious consequences "so Canadians can continue to feel safe in their communities."Nina Grewal, Conservative MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells, said cases such as the Vermeersch murder "make it clear that we must continue to make the protection of our community a top priority, especially when it comes to protecting children."She said it's "outrageous that convicted rapists whom authorities believe likely to reoffend can be permitted to move into ourcommunity and prey upon innocent young women."Local NDP MPs Jasbir Sandhu, representing Surrey North, and Jinny Sims, representing Newton-North Delta, released a joint statement that "all levels of government have a responsibility to ensure that every Canadian feels safe in his or her community."