Parliamentary Committee Notes: Question Period Transcripts
Bail Reform
Question Period, February 13, 2023
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have had eight years to deal with violent crime, and it has gone up 32% in that time. In fact, gang murders are up 92%. Everything the Liberals have said they are doing for public safety has resoundingly failed Canadians. Maybe if the minister would stop going after the tools used by sport shooters, hunters and farmers, and instead focused his attention on going after repeat violent offenders getting out on bail in our communities, we would see a decrease in crime; we would see results in our communities.
When is the Liberal government going to wake up and do the work to keep our communities safe?
Hon. Marco Mendicino (Eglinton—Lawrence)
Mr. Speaker, we are doing that work. We are doing that work by introducing a national ban on assault-style rifles, which have been used in some of the worst mass killing shootings in this country's history. We are doing that work with Bill C-21, which would raise maximum sentences for hardened gun traffickers.
What is my colleague doing with regard to that bill? Her and her party have been filibustering it. They should stop doing that. They should study the bill. They should support our policies. They should also support the investments we have provided for law enforcement and for addressing the root causes of crime when it comes to the building safer communities fund. They voted against each and every one of those things. They should reverse course.
Question Period, February 10, 2023
Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup)
Madam Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister's soft-on-crime policies, the consequences are devastating. In Vancouver, the same 40 offenders were arrested 6,000 times in a single year. The Liberal government is fine with releasing criminals back into their communities.
Shootings in Montreal are on the rise. The government is reducing sentences for gun crimes. This cannot happen in Canada. When will they introduce tougher measures to keep violent criminals in jail?
Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park)
Madam Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe and to be safe.
The laws are clear. If an accused poses a risk to public safety, they should be denied bail. At the Minister of Justice's direction, federal officials have been working for months with their provincial and territorial counterparts to develop ways to best keep Canadians safe.
We all have a role to play in protecting our communities. In fact, the Minister of Justice met with police chiefs from across the country to listen to their suggestions on how to deal with serious, repeat violent offenders on bail. They agreed that we need lasting solutions that are—
Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)
Madam Speaker, after eight years of Liberals dragging their feet and not acting on bail reform, we find ourselves here, where bail is broken. Premiers want change. Canadians want change. Police want change.
The government prefers to talk rather than act. Yesterday, I and my Conservative colleagues took the first step in a very long journey on bail in tabling Bill C-313. Will the government pass this legislation or get out of the way so that we can reform bail?
Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park)
Madam Speaker, all Canadians deserve to be safe and to feel safe. The laws on bail are clear. If an accused person poses a serious risk to public safety, they should be denied bail.
At the Minister of Justice's direction, federal officials have been working for months with their provincial and territorial counterparts. We all have a role to play in protecting our communities. In fact, the Minister of Justice met with police chiefs from across Canada to listen to their suggestions on how to deal with serious, violent repeat offenders on bail. They agreed that we need lasting solutions that are tough when they need to be tough but also address underlying issues—
Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)
Madam Speaker, I invite my hon. colleague to go back and listen to the Minister of Justice's remarks to this House when asked similar questions on January 30 and 31 of this year, and into the prior year, where he essentially denied that there was a problem. We now hear that they have been talking for months. After eight years of inaction, the bail system has never been worse. Canadians feel unsafe, with a 32% increase in violent crime and gangland homicides up 92%.
No more talk, Canadians want action. We are ready to start the process with bail reform on a very long journey. Will they help or get out of the way?
Arif Virani (Parkdale—High Park)
Madam Speaker, we will agree on one thing: that all Canadians deserve safety and that their government needs to take their safety as a fundamental priority.
Where we do not agree is that there are foundational issues that relate to criminal justice problems and the overrepresentation of certain communities in our criminal justice system, things like systemic racism, things like colonial legacies vis-à-vis the indigenous community.
What I would reiterate is that we need the co-operation of all parties to tackle these multiple issues that lead to criminality in our society. When we address the root causes, such as mental illness, addictions and systemic racism, that is when we can truly achieve the goal of keeping our communities safe.
Question Period, February 9, 2023
Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of radical Liberal experiments with our justice system, Canadians are less safe than ever. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, along with all of Canada's premiers, is sounding the alarm. Soft-on-crime Liberal bail policies mean that there are more violent repeat offenders on our streets than ever. The consequences of these Liberal policies are fatal, and Canadians will not tolerate Liberal failure.
When will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility and keep these violent thugs behind bars where they belong?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to be safe and they deserve to feel safe. The laws on bail that we currently have are clear. If one poses a threat to society, he or she should not be out on bail.
I have met with provincial counterparts and have begun the process of discussing this with them. Indeed, this morning, the Minister of Public Safety and I met with the national leadership of police associations, including Chief Carrique, in order to get their suggestions for moving forward.
We all agree that it is a complex issue. It will require a number of different responses. We are working together.
Question Period, February 8, 2023
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, there has been a 32% rise in violent crime, a doubling of gang murders, and police and innocent Canadians being murdered by violent repeat offenders getting bail and being back on our streets, day after day. This is Canada after eight years of the Prime Minister's broken Liberal bail system, and yet he voted against taking action on this issue.
What is it going to take for the Prime Minister to fix the bail system and keep repeat violent offenders off our streets?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, our top priority on this side of the House is always the safety of our communities. That is why we have continued to make innovations and investments in bail reform and why we continue to work with the provinces and territories on these issues.
We will make sure we are keeping Canadians safe, but the Conservatives' so-called focus on community safety does not explain their opposition to stronger gun control laws. We are going to continue to step up to make sure there is a freeze on handgun ownership across this country and that we keep assault-style weapons banned across the country. The Conservatives continue to be in the pockets of the Canadian NRA.
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, that answer is not good enough for victims of violent repeat offenders. It is not good enough for their families. They deserve results.
All 13 premiers, the police and all big-city mayors in Ontario are united in saying this is the Prime Minister's issue to solve, and yet the Prime Minister refuses to lift a finger to keep violent repeat offenders out of our communities. To top it off, he is the one who broke the Liberal bail system.
Can we really trust that he is going to be the one to fix it when he is the one who broke it?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to be there for victims of crime. We will continue to ensure there is less violent crime so that fewer people are made victims.
When we moved forward on our bill, Bill C-75, we did not change the criteria for when accused persons can be released. The bill put in place a reverse onus for certain firearms offences, meaning it is up to the accused to prove they can be released. The law is clear that people should be detained if that is necessary to protect public safety.
I know the Minister of Justice will continue to work with his counterparts across the country to ensure we are keeping people safe.
Hon. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this bail crisis is a crisis of the Prime Minister's own making. What he is doing is not working. Violent crime in the last eight years is up 32%. The Liberal minister loves to stand up and say Canadians deserve to feel safe. What Canadians are saying is they deserve to be safe. Canadians do not have the privilege to travel with armed guards like the Prime Minister does.
After eight years, the Prime Minister is badly out of touch. Will he take responsibility today for his broken bail system and commit to changing it today?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice will continue to work with his provincial counterparts to see what improvements can be made, but while the members opposite continue to attack the improvements that were made to the system, they are misinforming Canadians.
When we brought out, for example, the criteria for when accused persons can be released, they were not changed by Bill C-75. The law is clear that people should be detained if that is necessary to protect public safety. The bill also put in place a reverse onus for certain firearms offences, meaning it is up to the accused to prove they can be released.
We are going to continue to stand up for Canadians.
Question Period, February 7, 2023
Larry Brock (Brantford—Brant)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, Canadians are living in fear. Under his watch, violent crime is up 32%; gang-related homicide is up 92%; and in Toronto last year, 50% of all shooting deaths were committed by those already on bail. However, just yesterday, the Liberals voted against our Conservative motion to fix the bail system that they destroyed.
When will the Prime Minister admit that his flawed bail policies are jeopardizing the safety of all Canadians?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe and they deserve to be safe.
The laws on bail are clear. If somebody poses a threat to public safety, he or she should not be out on bail. I have undertaken with the provinces and territories to look at what we can do at the federal level with respect to bail. Our priority remains keeping Canadians safe. We will move with the provinces together on not just changing the law but also administering the bail system in a better way.
Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)
Mr. Speaker, the laws on bail are clear? I think the minister meant to say that the laws on bail clearly are not working.
While the minister was in the classroom, I was in the courtroom running bail hearings. I have looked victims in the eye who were victimized by people who were on bail. The reality is that violent crime is up 32%. Thugs and gangsters with guns are running wild on our streets.
When will the minister, after eight years of Liberal inaction, end catch-and-release?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the hon. member's previous service, but I would suggest he go back to the classroom.
As the hon. member will know, what Bill—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member will surely know from his experience, what Bill C-75 did was codify Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence and it tightened bail provisions by adding a reverse onus for intimate partner violence. There was already a reverse onus on prohibited weapons.
Notwithstanding that, we are willing to work with the provinces to see if there are additional measures we can take. Certainly, we will help the provinces in the administration of the bail—
Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)
Mr. Speaker, I do not know that I can imagine a comment more out of touch than that which the Liberal minister just said. I will remind the minister that, like him, I also taught at a law school. Unlike him, I do not have to go back to school to see people on the streets who are victimized, to see the statistics of gangland homicides and to see police officers on our streets being killed by people who are on bail.
Will the minister stay out of touch or will he end the catch-and-release to keep victims safe after eight years of failed Liberal policies?
Hon. Mark Holland (Ajax)
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is yelling “eight, nine, 10, you are out” as if this is a sporting event. There is not a person in the chamber who has not been touched by violence. There is not a person in the chamber who does not care about the safety of our communities. There is not a person in the country who does not want to make us be successful in ensuring that every Canadian is safe and not victimized.
The idea that anybody in the chamber, let alone anybody in this government, does not care about victims is a deeply offensive concept and is totally unhelpful to the debate at hand.
Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, Canada has become unrecognizable, but for all the wrong reasons. Writing on the subject of the Prime Minister's Bill C-5, columnist Joseph Facal of the Journal de Montréal wrote that “fanatical lunatics have taken over the asylum”.
He cited as an example the recent case of a 31-year-old woman who was found guilty of repeatedly beating her 11-year-old stepson and depriving him of food and urgent medical attention. She was sentenced to serve 15 months in the comfort of her home.
Why does the Prime Minister always defend criminals instead of helping victims?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, no other government in Canada's history has provided as many resources as we have to help victims. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences. That is the spirit behind our amendments to the Criminal Code.
We stand with victims. We are overhauling the system so it is more flexible, welcoming and supportive for victims, and we will succeed.
Question Period, February 6, 2023
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul), CPC
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of soft-on-crime Liberals, Canada is seeing a 32% rise in violent crime. Gang murders have doubled in this country. Repeat violent offenders are getting bail over and over again. Once safe neighbourhoods have become havens for crime and violence, and in response, premiers, police and Toronto are demanding bail reform from the Prime Minister.
Today, the Liberal government can finally take action by voting for the Conservative motion calling for tough-on-crime bail reform. Will the Liberals be voting yes?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun), LPC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe and they deserve to be safe. Bail reform has been on our radar screen since, at the very least, the meeting with provincial ministers of justice in late October. We committed at that point to looking at what we could do at the federal level to reform our bail laws, but also to looking at how we could better support the provinces in the administration of the bail regime that currently exists. We are committed to that and will continue to work in that direction.
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, that answer does not give a lot of comfort that the Liberals are interested in fixing the bail system they broke. Last week, the Kelowna RCMP issued a public warning about a violent, high-risk repeat offender who escaped from a recovery home. He was granted bail in December despite a revolving door of criminal convictions and a history of disobeying court orders.
Will the Prime Minister take responsibility, reverse course and fix the bail system he broke?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, our bail system creates a number of different balances based on charter rights that individuals have and based on the presumption of innocence until being found guilty, and it primarily makes sure that Canadians are safe.
Nobody out on bail should pose a threat to the security of Canadians. That is, in fact, what the law is. There are a number of reverse onuses in effect already in that law.
We are willing to look at other measures within the law, and we are working with the provinces and territories in that regard. We will continue to make sure that we keep Canadians safe.
Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Mr. Speaker, that is a typical Liberal response where they deflect and blame. There is nothing worth applauding about the Liberals' record on public safety or their record on protecting victims of crime. After eight years of the Prime Minister, violent crime has increased 32%, gang-related homicides have increased 92%, and every province, territory and premier agrees that the bail system is broken.
Will the Prime Minister fix the bail system he broke or get out of the way so the Conservatives can?
Hon. Marco Mendicino (Eglinton—Lawrence)
Mr. Speaker, I assure my colleague and all members in this chamber that we are introducing common-sense policies, like Bill C-75, that allow us to concentrate on the most serious offenders so we can protect our communities.
I would also point out to my Conservative colleagues that this government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to support law enforcement and to address the root causes of crime so that we can stop it before it starts. What have the Conservatives done? In each of those instances, they have voted against.
If they are serious about taking crime seriously, they should get serious about supporting this government's policies.
Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, the numbers are worrisome.
Violent crimes are up 32% and gang-related murders are up 92%. That is where things stand under the Liberals. Why? It is because they have introduced policies that benefit criminals rather than victims.
Could the minister protect victims and leave rapists and thieves in prison where they belong?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, we have invested more than any other government in Canadian history to protect victims and ensure that they are heard by our justice system.
As for the bail system, no one should be released if they pose a threat to Canadian society. That is what we are working on. We are open to working with the provinces and territories to fine-tune the system and to support them in the administration of the system.
Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord)
Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that the minister is still trying to protect the legislation flowing from Bill C‑5. There is clearly a problem with the word “justice” in the office of the Minister of Justice.
Under this new legislation, a crook caught in possession of a fully loaded illegal firearm and a rapist will serve their sentence at home. That is the Liberal record after eight years. We are living in a country that does not prioritize victims' rights.
Could the minister admit that the Bill C‑5 legislation is a failure and send criminals back “inside” so that there may be justice for the victims?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, serious crimes deserve serious consequences. That is the reason why we are scrapping the Harper government's “tough on crime” agenda, which was an utter failure.
What we are doing is properly allocating resources to serious crimes and not wasting judicial and police resources on less serious crimes. We are improving the justice system and we will continue to do so.
Question Period, February 3, 2023
Michael Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton)
Madam Speaker, after eight years of the current Prime Minister, the bail system is broken. The Liberals implemented soft-on-crime catch-and-release bail policies that put violent and repeat offenders out on the streets and endanger public safety. Everyone but the Liberals seems to recognize what a disaster this has been. All 13 premiers, police associations and victims are calling on the Liberals to fix their broken bail system.
Why will they not?
Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park)
Madam Speaker, Canadians deserve to be safe and to feel safe. We all have a role to play in protecting communities.
The laws on bail are very clear. If the accused poses a serious risk to public safety, they should be denied bail. At our direction, federal officials have been working for months with their provincial and territorial counterparts to develop ways to keep Canadians safe. We need lasting solutions that are tough when they need to be tough, but also that address underlying issues like mental health, addiction and homelessness.
Michael Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton)
Madam Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, the Liberals' catch-and-release bail policies have cost lives, including a young OPP constable who was murdered last December in the line of duty by a violent career criminal who was out on bail. Notwithstanding that he was facing serious charges such as assaulting a police officer, now a police officer is dead.
How many more lives need to be lost before the Liberals finally wake up and fix their broken bail system?
Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park)
Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to those impacted by violence, and especially gun violence. As far as bail is concerned, there is no right to bail if someone poses a serious risk to public safety. There is, in fact, a reverse onus for bail imposed on the accused charged with certain firearms offences, including offences involving a firearm that are committed while subject to a weapons prohibition order. We will continue to work with the provinces and territories to ensure that bail is accessible, but at the same time it is limited to those who do not pose a risk to public safety.
Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland)
Madam Speaker, eight years ago, Constable David Wynn of the St. Albert RCMP was gunned down by a violent repeat offender who was mistakenly released on bail. The system failed. However, after eight years of the Prime Minister, a tragic mistake has become a matter of government policy of deliberately releasing violent repeat offenders on bail who kill innocent police officers and victims.
When will the Prime Minister acknowledge his failure and fix his broken justice system?
Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park)
Madam Speaker, let me be very clear on bail. The laws on bail are limited to those who do not pose a risk to public safety to be released on bail. If we look at the criminal justice system as a whole, we have a shared responsibility with the provincial and territorial governments. With respect to the federal government, we are responsible for the Criminal Code. The federal government is working with the provinces and territories to ensure that the administration of justice is strengthened. We will work with them in order to get to the right place on bail.
Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland)
Madam Speaker, police officers, victims and the provinces are calling on the Prime Minister to fix this broken justice system. After eight years of the Liberal government, it has never been easier for violent repeat offenders to be released. If the Liberals do not believe it, the proof is in the pudding. Out of 44 gang-related homicides in Toronto in 2022, 24 were committed by those out on bail. The consequences of the Prime Minister's catch-and-release justice agenda are fatal.
After eight years of failure, when will the Prime Minister take responsibility and fix this broken justice system?
Hon. Mark Holland (Ajax)
Madam Speaker, sadly, there is no one among us who has not been subject to the effects of violence. All of us know people who are victims. Every single one of us shares an equal commitment to making sure that justice is served and that our communities are kept safe. The reality is that Canada enjoys one of the greatest reputations in the world for its justice system. We have one of the lowest rates of recidivism anywhere in the world.
The policies the Conservatives advocated were struck down by the courts again and again. They were tried in jurisdictions like the United States where even the father of that movement, Newt Gingrich, said they were an abject failure.
Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe)
Madam Speaker, after eight long years of the current government, crime has surged to a level not seen in decades. Not only are communities subjected to daily shootings and stabbings, but now they worry about random attacks in their subways. Rapists are let out on bail the same day the police take them down to the courthouse.
Public safety is not some graduate project for a criminologist; its implementation has deadly consequences if we do not get it right. Instead of creating repeat victims, why does the current government not listen to the provinces and deal with repeat offenders?
Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington)
Madam Speaker, as someone who lives close to the city of Toronto and uses the TTC, I am deeply concerned about the spike in violence on the TTC. The minister has spoken with Mayor Tory to express our support for him and the City of Toronto.
Our government has taken action on supporting law enforcement, on violence prevention and on mental health supports. Most recently, the minister was in Toronto to announce $12 million in support, along with the mayor, to address many of the social determinants that can lead to violence, through the building safer communities fund.
We will continue to work with the City of Toronto and all communities to keep communities safe.
Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe)
Madam Speaker, in 2022, five Canadian police officers were killed in a deadly 37-day stretch. The president of the Police Association of Ontario has called this “unprecedented”. All the while, shootings continue in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Drugs, guns and contraband continue to flow across the border, and repeat offenders are out on bail, allowed to continue harming society unmitigated.
We know that the Prime Minister has been convicted of two ethics offences on separate occasions in the last eight years. Is that why the government is so afraid to deal with repeat offenders?
Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington)
Madam Speaker, I am proud of the record that we have on this side of the House when it comes to keeping communities safe. Whether that be investing in the border or replacing the money that was taken away by the Conservative government when it was in power, we are giving the tools to the Canada Border Services Agency to keep the borders safe to ensure that guns are not being smuggled across the border.
There is always more to do, and we will support law enforcement. We will support communities and we will do everything we can to ensure that Canadians are safe.
Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup)
Madam Speaker, after eight years with this Prime Minister, our cities are becoming less and less safe. The crime rate has increased by 32%. Murders committed by street gangs have almost doubled. This is all due to the soft-on-crime approach of this government, which has made it easier for violent criminals to be released on bail and has eliminated mandatory prison sentences for crimes committed with firearms.
When will this government take the violence in our streets seriously?
Rachel Bendayan (Outremont)
Madam Speaker, my colleague has pointed out an extremely important problem that exists in Montreal, Quebec and across the country.
I would like to understand one thing. If my colleague is concerned about violence linked to firearms, why do the Conservatives systematically block measures that would make it easier to control firearms in Canada?
Our government introduced Bill C‑21 to put a stop to handgun sales across the country, but the Conservatives are against it.
Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup)
Madam Speaker, this government is acting as though there is no problem. However, Canadians have been dealing with the direct impacts of this government's bad policies for eight years. Nearly half of the shooting-related homicides in Toronto last year were committed by one or more individuals who were out on bail. The last thing people want is for this phenomenon to spread across the country. The bail system needs to be reformed.
Will this government have the courage to do that? If so, will it vote in favour of our motion?
Rachel Bendayan (Outremont)
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to answer a second question about gun violence. I am surprised that the Conservatives are asking this question.
The rates of violence against women and children have been on the rise for many years.
Why are the Conservatives against better gun control measures in this country?
Question Period, February 2, 2023
Jake Stewart (Miramichi—Grand Lake)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, everything feels broken in Canada, including the bail system. Violent crime has increased 32%. Gang-related homicides have increased by 92%, and five Canadian police officers were killed in the line of duty this year.
Bail for violent repeat offenders has become a revolving door. When is the Liberal government going to take responsibility for its actions and stop this catch-and-release bail justice system?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to be and to feel safe. We all have a role to play in protecting our communities. The laws on bail are clear: If an accused person poses a serious risk to public safety, they should not get bail.
At my direction, since the month of October past, federal officials have been working with their provincial and territorial counterparts to develop ways to best keep Canadians safe. We are open to that discussion. We are open to participating with the provinces to help in the enforcement of bail conditions. We are looking for lasting solutions.
Jake Stewart (Miramichi—Grand Lake)
Mr. Speaker, I will ask the minister to tell victims, in light of those five police officers, what he just told me.
Most Canadians do not live in homes surrounded by walls and gates, and they do not have the security detail of the Prime Minister. That is a luxury that Canadians do not have. With a 26% increase in crime in New Brunswick over the past five years, rural Canadians are also negatively impacted.
These failed, soft-on-crime, Liberal bail policies are making Canadians feel less safe. When will the Prime Minister put victims ahead of criminals?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, I take offence to the idea that any of us are less empathetic towards victims, particularly in these very cases. Our heart goes out to those victims.
With respect to the bail system, I have been working with my officials across Canada, the provincial and territorial counterparts, precisely to see where we can improve the bail regime.
We know that Canadians need to feel safe, and we are moving forward in a positive direction, appreciating that it is a complex issue and a shared area of responsibility with the provinces. With the provinces, we will find a solution.
Hon. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mr. Speaker, well, Canadians take offence to a government that will not listen to the pleas of all 13 premiers, who have seen violent crime go up by 32% in the last eight years. Out of 44 shooting homicides in Toronto last year, half were committed by someone who was out on bail. In a single year in Vancouver, 40 people were arrested 6,000 times. After eight years, in this Prime Minister, career criminals have never had a better friend.
Does this justice minister honestly stand by his claims that our broken bail system is working?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, cherry-picking statistics and taking high-profile cases and using them for political purposes does not help us to attack the challenges that the bail system presents to us.
As I have said, we have been working on that question since the month of October with our provincial counterparts. We are looking at solutions that can be fixed in the law, but we are also looking at the kinds of things that the provinces can do in the administration of the bail system.
British Columbia has taken a leadership role. I met with the attorney general for British Columbia yesterday to go over what B.C. was doing. Ontario is interested, and so are the provinces. We will work together—
Hon. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not need victim blaming. They need leadership and action.
Which stats would the hon. minister wish that we were not cherry-picking? Violent crime is up 32%. Gang-related homicides have increased by 92%. Of 44 shooting-related homicides in Toronto, half of the accused were out on bail, and 40 offenders have been arrested 6,000 times. If the minister has some stats that he would like to share, we welcome them.
Until then, we need to get our heads out of the sand and take action We need to listen to the police, communities and the premiers and reform this failed Liberal bail system.
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier today in the House of Commons, statistics from the Toronto police over the past few years show that offenses committed while individuals are out on bail have gone down over the past two years.
We appreciate that Canadians need to feel safe and Canadians have a right to feel safe—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-75 codified what were essentially Supreme Court decisions and made it harder to get bail in a number of cases. It did not change any of the severity of bail conditions for violent criminals, yet we are still going to look at other possibilities with the provinces to move forward to make Canadians feel safe.
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, today the justice minister said that, if someone poses a significant threat to public safety, the law tells us they should not be released on bail, but in reality, in Toronto last year, of the 44 gun murders, 24 of the suspects were out on bail when they committed these murders. Those 24 people clearly posed a threat to public safety, yet they were out on bail.
When will the minister get his head out of the clouds and commit to reforming our broken Liberal bail system, which he helped to create?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, it is a fundamental principle that, if a person poses a threat to public security, he or she should not get bail. That is balanced with the fact that bail is not only a charter right, but a common law right of long date, because in our system one is innocent until proven guilty.
We allow judges to make that determination based on the arguments that prosecutors and defence attorneys put before them, so I will not revisit an individual case, but what I can say is that we are working with our provincial counterparts to see how we can improve the bail system to make Canadians feel more safe.
Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord)
Mr. Speaker, violent crime in Canada has increased by 32% since 2015 and gang-related homicides have increased by 92%.
What is more, the Liberals, supported by the Bloc Québécois, passed Bill C‑5, a piece of legislation that eliminates minimum sentencing. That is what is happening in Canada after eight years under this government: more crime and more criminals out on bail.
Can the Minister of Justice face reality and admit that his policies favour criminals and penalize victims?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the bail system is a fundamental part of our system. If a person poses a threat to public security he or she should not get bail.
We have to strike a balance and we will work with the provinces, because even though criminal law is under federal responsibility, it is with the provinces that we will determine how to administer the system. We will do that together.
Question Period, February 1, 2023
Hon. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of a soft-on-crime Liberal government, Canada's justice system is badly broken. A young police officer was shot and killed by someone with a lifetime firearms ban and a serious criminal history, yet they were out on bail. The Liberals' broken bail system is putting Canadian lives at risk, yet the justice minister refuses to answer the call of all 13 premiers, and police associations across the country, to reform the bail system.
Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity today to do what his justice minister has refused to do and commit to reforming the Liberals' broken bail system?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, the increase in violence in so many of our communities is heartbreaking to see and continues to be a priority for us to respond to. We will always look at what more we can do alongside the provinces, territories and municipalities.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General met with his counterparts and discussed this issue just this past fall, and experts at the federal and provincial levels have been working together on bail reform since. The minister has asked these experts to do whatever they can to speed up this work to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep Canadians safe.
Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland)
Mr. Speaker, violent crime is rising because of the actions of this Liberal government. Under eight years of the Prime Minister, Canada has become a more dangerous place. Police are putting the blame on Liberal Bill C-75 that mandated judges to grant bail to dangerous repeat offenders with minimal conditions. The consequences of this have been fatal.
When will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility for his failure to protect Canadians and apologize to the victims of his reckless legislation?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to be and to feel safe. We all have a role to play in protecting our communities.
The laws on bail are clear. Detaining an accused person is justified only if it is necessary to protect the safety of the public. As my colleague knows, provinces and territories and, of course, police forces are also responsible for the enforcement of bail conditions, and we are providing resources to support them.
We remain open to good ideas and proposals from our provincial and territorial counterparts and the opposition to reforming our bail system, including other parts of the criminal justice regime.
Question Period, January 30, 2023
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, last month, the OPP's Constable Greg Pierzchala was murdered by a violent criminal out on bail. Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto police said that this murder was senseless and preventable and that Canada needs bail reform. Unfortunately, access to bail for violent criminals was made easier by the Liberal government's Bill C-75. Countless Canadians have been harmed by the Liberal bail system; it must be reformed.
Will the Liberal government make that commitment today?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to be and feel safe, and we all have a role in protecting our communities. The laws on bail are clear: Detaining an accused person is justified if it is necessary to protect the safety of the public. As my colleague knows, provinces and territories, as well as police forces, are responsible the enforcement of bail conditions. We all have a role to play. We at the federal level are providing resources to support them. We will continue to do so in order to ensure that laws are applied appropriately.
We remain open to good ideas and proposals from the opposition, and from provinces and territories, to reform our criminal justice system, including the bail system.
Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul)
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have had eight years to make our streets safer, and they have only made things worse. Last year in Toronto, of the 44 homicides by shooting, 24 of the criminals responsible were out on bail when they committed the murders. All 13 premiers in Canada signed a historic letter to the Prime Minister demanding bail reform. The Toronto police are demanding bail reform.
What is it going to take for the Liberal government to reform the broken Liberal bail system?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, in a number of important cases, the bail reform that we undertook in Bill C-75 made it harder to get bail. As I have said, we are open to any good proposal from the opposition, as well as from provinces and territories.
At a conference of federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers in the fall, I committed to that long before this became a hot issue in the House of Commons. We are working with the provinces and territories to look at legitimate suggestions for bail reform.
Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles)
Mr. Speaker, under Bill C-21 on firearms, law-abiding citizens will no longer be able to hunt, but criminals will be able to continue terrorizing our streets.
Meanwhile, the provincial premiers are unanimously calling on this Liberal government to take immediate action to strengthen Canada's bail system.
In December, a police officer was killed by a criminal who had been granted bail even though he posed a real threat to society.
Will this Prime Minister stop playing politics with the safety of Canadians and do what needs to be done?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the laws on bail are clear. We all have a role to play. Provinces, territories and police forces must enforce federal laws.
At a ministers' conference in November, my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety, and I committed to working with the provinces to look at suggestions for bail reform.
We are doing the work. We are open to legitimate suggestions for bail reform.
Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill)
Mr. Speaker, commuters in Toronto have been set on fire, stabbed and swarmed in a growing wave of violence. Our transit operators are scared to go to work. In the first three weeks of this year, Toronto police said that crimes were up more than 37%. We have repeat violent offenders out on our streets because of the government's weak bail system. The Minister of Public Safety says he is concerned, but he is not concerned enough to do anything about it.
Canadians are a little more than just concerned. When are we going to see the bail reform that every premier, police union and police chief has called for in this country?
Hon. Marco Mendicino (Eglinton—Lawrence)
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned with the recent spike of violence on the TTC. I have spoken directly with Mayor Tory to express our unwavering support for him and the city.
Our government, in fact, has doubled down on support for law enforcement, violence prevention, mental health supports, and supports to address homelessness and poverty. Most recently, along with the mayor, I announced $12 million in funding to address many of the social determinants that can lead to violence through the building safer communities fund, a fund that the Conservatives voted against.
We will continue to work with the City of Toronto and all communities to keep our public transit safe.
Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill)
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the current Prime Minister, violent crime is up 32%. That is a record. The record is the weak bail system, and it keeps serious, violent criminals out of jail and on our streets. There is a former Toronto police chief sitting on that side of the House who has made more comments about crime in the U.S. than in his own city this week. Enough with the thoughts and prayers and the concern. People do not feel safe in their communities, and they fear riding public transit.
What is it going to take to get the minister to pay attention to the random attacks happening on public transit and reform the bail system?
Hon. Marco Mendicino (Eglinton—Lawrence)
Mr. Speaker, I assure my colleague and all members in this House that this government is paying attention to the situation in Toronto. This is why, without any hesitation or haste, I contacted the mayor to make sure that he knew that this government would be there to support the City of Toronto as we have done in the past with regard to law enforcement, as we have done in the past with regard to preventing crime, as in the $12-million announcement that we made last spring with the mayor, as we have done in the past with regard to our investments in Canada's summer jobs to support those young people who were at most risk.
That is the record of this government, and we will continue to build on it to protect all residents and all communities to keep them safe.
Question Period, November 17, 2022
Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley)
Mr. Speaker, several communities in northwest B.C. are struggling with increased rates of crime, and, sadly, a lot of folks are not feeling safe in their own communities. Now, we need to see an increased investment in housing, mental health supports and treatment services for those people who are struggling. Local leaders are also calling on this government to ensure that Canada's public safety approach is effective.
Last month, B.C.'s attorney general met with the justice minister and pressed him for reforms to Canada's bail system. Will he be introducing those reforms in this place to ensure our communities are safe?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, as I previously reported in the House, my counterpart in British Columbia and I did discuss this matter along with other ministers of the provinces and territories at an FPT about a month ago. We have delegated the question to our deputy ministers and their subcommittee. They will report back to us.
We understand how important this issue is, not only in British Columbia but across Canada. As always, we are open to good ideas.
Question Period, October 20, 2022
Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)
Mr. Speaker, these serious consequences would be to serve house arrest while playing video games for discharging a firearm illegally. That is not a serious consequence.
The Minister of Justice has permitted a catch-and-release justice system. Businesses are closing down, and people in my riding of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo are afraid to walk downtown in certain pockets, even in the daytime. We even had a McDonald's close down due to street crime.
Bail has become the norm for repeat violent offenders. Will the government shut this revolving door?
Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question and congratulate him on his recent appointment as the second critic on this file.
Public safety is our priority, and serious crimes will always carry with them serious consequences. Former supreme court justice Michael Moldaver, whom nobody in the House could accuse of being soft on crime, has said precisely that we need to dedicate more of our judicial and penal resources towards combatting serious offences and treating those offences seriously, and conversely, taking away some of the resources for crimes that should not be punished by incarceration.
Public safety is our number one priority.
Question Period, June 1, 2022
Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar)
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the cost of everything is going up, and the Prime Minister seems to be in denial about it.
Do members know what else is going up under these Liberals? It is violent crime, and that is because the Liberals are soft on crime. Their soft-on-crime approach means that places such as Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are becoming more dangerous with violent crimes increasing under their watch. Criminals who terrorize vulnerable communities should not get just a slap on the wrist and house arrest or bail. They should be behind bars.
Why will the Prime Minister not start standing up for victims, do something to protect the innocent and make sure that violent criminals are put in jail and stay in jail?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, what our communities need is a justice system that punishes criminals. What we do not need is a system that targets racialized people because of systemic discrimination.
Our reforms turned the page on failed Conservative Party policies that contributed to the overrepresentation of Black and indigenous people in our criminal justice system. At the same time, through our new legislation, we are increasing maximum penalties from 10 to 14 years for firearms-related offences, including smuggling and trafficking. We are there to support Canadians and to keep Canadians safe.
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