The mother of two children killed by her ex-husband says the provincial government needs to do more to help the victims of crime.
Isabelle Gaston testified Tuesday at government hearings for Bill 22, and she said the proposed law should do more for the parents of murder victims.
Gaston's two children were stabbed to death by their father, Guy Turcotte, in February 2009. He was found criminally not responsible and this past December was granted release from a mental institution after undergoing six months of regular therapy.
The crown has applied for permission to appeal the case, and Quebec's Court of Appeal will hear arguments on Sept. 30, 2013.
In her testimony before the legislature Gaston stressed that the proposed law does not give legal recognition to the parents of victims.
She is still coping with the knowledge that her then-husband killed their children.
"Usually the crime was horrible, your child maybe was alone. After that the steps in the courts always bring you back to your grieving process so you cannot do it in private," Gaston said.
Under Bill 22 the parents of murdered children would receive $12,000 per child from the provincial government.
Gaston says if parents were also recognized as victims, it would be easier for them to get life insurance and to be able to return to living a healthy life.
Isabelle Gaston will be interviewed on CTV News at Noon on Wednesday.
