Victims' Families Denied In-Person Attendance at Paul Bernardo Parole Hearing

The Parole Board of Canada cites safety concerns for barring families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy from attending the hearing in person.

Paul Bernardo, a convicted serial killer, is scheduled for a virtual parole hearing on November 26 at La Macaza Institution in Quebec.
The families of victims Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy have been informed they cannot attend the hearing in person due to unspecified safety concerns.
Lawyer Tim Danson argues that the decision violates the families' rights to present victim impact statements directly to Bernardo and the parole board.
The families have requested the hearing be postponed to allow them to participate in person, highlighting the emotional impact of being denied this opportunity.
Bernardo's transfer from a maximum-security to a medium-security prison last year has already been a source of public controversy and scrutiny.