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OTTAWA — The federal government will introduce tough new penalties for those convicted of sex offences involving children, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Thursday.

The new Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act will include mandatory minimum and maximum sentences for a variety of sexual crimes and those convicted on multiple counts will be required to serve their sentences consecutively.

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The new bill will also include provisions that would compel the spouse of an accused person to testify against their partner in court.

We are doing this because every victim matters, because every child matters. Every child should be able to live in a vibrant and safe community. Where any child is victimized by a sexual predator, the safety of all our children is called into question.

It will also increase penalties for those who violate their parole conditions and will ensure that any crime committed while on parole or statutory release would become a mandatory factor in sentencing.

“Once the bill has passed, the measures it contains will represent the most comprehensive legislation to combat sex crimes against children ever enacted in this country,” Harper said.

“We are doing this because every victim matters, because every child matters. Every child should be able to live in a vibrant and safe community. Where any child is victimized by a sexual predator, the safety of all our children is called into question.”

Harper said the bill will be introduced when Parliament resumes in October.