Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is advocating for stringent legislation to address rising crime rates as Parliament prepares to reconvene, emphasizing the urgent need for action in communities he describes as resembling “war zones.”
In response, the Liberal government has announced its intention to introduce its own legislation this autumn to reform the bail system, which has faced criticism from law enforcement and victims’ rights advocates for being too lenient and allowing repeat offenders back into society at the expense of public safety.
Despite a recent decrease in crime rates following a surge during the pandemic, data from Statistics Canada indicates that the police-reported crime rate has dropped by 3.6% to 5,672 incidents per 100,000 population compared to the previous year. However, the current rate remains higher than when the last Liberal government took office in 2015.
The decline in crime is largely attributed to a reduction in non-violent offenses, including property crimes and drug-related incidents, which decreased by approximately six percent in the previous year. Conversely, there was a marginal one percent drop in the violent crime severity index, as reported by the federal agency.
Although recent data from the Toronto Police Service suggests improvements in crime rates for the current year, with significant reductions in shootings, homicides, and auto thefts compared to the previous year, Poilievre contends that crime remains a pressing issue. He highlighted StatsCan data indicating a 29% increase in homicides over the past decade, with 788 victims in the previous year compared to 613 in 2015.
Poilievre intends to introduce the “Jail Not Bail Act,” sponsored by MP Arpan Khanna, to address these concerns. The proposed legislation seeks to reverse elements of the previous government’s Bill C-75, which mandated the release of certain individuals on bail under specific conditions. Poilievre’s bill aims to ensure that judges consider an accused’s complete criminal history when determining bail eligibility.
Additionally, Poilievre proposes prohibiting individuals convicted of indictable offenses from acting as guarantors for accused persons out on bail. He has also advocated for the repeal of Bill C-5, which expanded the use of conditional sentences allowing criminals to serve time under house arrest.
Furthermore, Poilievre advocates for a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out law,” which would prevent individuals convicted of three serious offenses from receiving bail, probation, parole, or house arrest. However, the implementation of these measures may face legal challenges given past court decisions emphasizing the default position of minimal bail conditions for most alleged offenses.
The Justice Minister, Sean Fraser, responded to Poilievre’s proposals, emphasizing the Liberals’ commitment to introducing comprehensive criminal justice reforms. Fraser indicated that the government’s upcoming legislation will address hate crimes, sex offenses, and aim to make it tougher to obtain bail for offenses involving violence, organized crime, home invasions, and human trafficking.
Fraser called for constructive collaboration with the Conservative party to advance these reforms and enhance community safety. He stated that the government remains open to cooperation as long as the focus is on effective reform rather than creating political discord.
In conclusion, both the Conservative and Liberal parties are set to introduce legislative measures to combat crime and reform the justice system in response to ongoing concerns about public safety and criminal justice issues.