Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is advocating for stringent anti-crime legislation as Parliament prepares to reconvene, citing certain communities as being akin to “war zones” and necessitating immediate action. In a parallel vein, the Liberal government also vows to introduce legislation this autumn to bolster the bail system, which some in law enforcement and victims’ rights circles criticize as excessively lenient, allowing repeat offenders to be released into society at the expense of public safety.
Efforts to combat crime unfold against a backdrop of declining crime rates following a surge post-pandemic. Statistics Canada data reveals a 3.6% decrease in the police-reported crime rate to 5,672 incidents per 100,000 people compared to the previous year, yet it remains elevated compared to 2015 when the last Liberal government took office. The reduction is chiefly propelled by a notable drop in non-violent crimes like property and drug offenses, which dipped by approximately six percent last year. Conversely, there was a more modest one percent decline in the violent crime severity index, according to the federal agency.
Despite this positive trend, Poilievre insists that “crime is raging out of control,” referencing StatsCan data indicating a 29% increase in homicides over the past decade, with 788 victims nationwide in the previous year compared to 613 in 2015. To address these concerns, Poilievre’s party plans to introduce the “Jail Not Bail Act,” spearheaded by MP Arpan Khanna, likely to be debated this fall after securing the tenth slot in the private member’s bill lottery. The proposed legislation seeks to roll back aspects of the previous Liberal government’s Bill C-75, which mandated the release of certain individuals on bail under specific conditions.
Poilievre’s proposed measures include mandating judges to consider an accused’s complete criminal history when determining bail eligibility and prohibiting individuals convicted of serious crimes from acting as guarantors. Furthermore, he aims to repeal Bill C-5, which expanded the use of conditional sentences, and implement a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out law” preventing repeat serious offenders from availing bail, probation, parole, or house arrest. These initiatives align with his campaign pledges to toughen Canada’s criminal justice system.
However, the feasibility of Poilievre’s stringent bail policies may encounter legal resistance, given past court rulings emphasizing the default position of minimal conditions for bail release. Despite potential challenges, Poilievre remains resolute in his approach, rebuffing the notion of invoking the notwithstanding clause to safeguard his proposals against Charter scrutiny. Emphasizing victim rights over criminal interests, he aims to counter the Liberal government’s stance on justice reform.
In response, Justice Minister Sean Fraser reaffirms the Liberal government’s commitment to enhancing the bail system by making it harder to secure bail for offenses involving violence, organized crime, or other serious crimes. Fraser calls for collaborative efforts between the Liberals and Conservatives to navigate criminal justice reforms, emphasizing the shared goal of community safety. Additionally, the government plans to introduce stricter legislation addressing hate crimes and sexual offenses alongside the proposed bail reform bill.
The stage is set for a robust legislative debate as political parties diverge on their approaches to tackling crime and reforming the justice system, each advocating for distinct priorities in the interest of public safety and legal efficacy.