Regina, SK – Arpan Khanna, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice & Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement in response to Liberal soft on crime illusions that leave Canadians with dangerous streets:
“After more than a decade of weakening Canada’s justice system, the same Liberals that helped create today’s public safety crisis are now asking Canadians to applaud as it promises to fix it.
“The facts speak for themselves: since 2015, violent crime is up almost 55 per cent, sexual assaults have risen by nearly 76 per cent, human trafficking has increased by 84 per cent and extortion has surged by 330 per cent.
“Across the country, Canadians continue to witness deadly shootings, violent home invasions and serious repeat offenders being released back into their communities. It’s the direct result of soft-on-crime laws like Bills C-5 and C-75 that entrenched the Liberal ‘Principle of Restraint,’ requiring dangerous criminals to be released back onto our streets.
“The Liberals’ ‘jail by day, bail by night’ approach has made communities less safe while leaving victims behind. Instead of accepting responsibility for their failures, the Liberal government insisted there was no problem with Justice Minister Sean Fraser, infamously saying that at least Canada ‘is not the Wild Wild West.’
“Mark Carney claimed to be different, but after more than a decade of failed justice policies, Canadians know the reality: communities are less safe, victims are being let down, and repeat offenders continue to cycle through the justice system.
“The ‘Principle of Restraint’ is still on the books, and far from strengthening the Criminal Code, the Liberals have weakened it by empowering judges to ignore almost all mandatory minimum sentences with C-16, including for human trafficking, extortion with a firearm and aggravated sexual assault with a gun.
“Conservatives have repeatedly put forward practical measures to strengthen bail laws and impose tougher consequences for violent and repeat offenders. Every time, Liberals voted against restoring stronger penalties for extortion, preventing sentence reductions based on immigration status and ensuring repeat sexual offenders serve consecutive sentences.
“The Liberals’ latest victory lap on crime is just another illusion attempting to hide the reality of their record, eliminating tough sentences for serious firearm and weapon crime and weakening our bail system. Canadians sadly know this reality all too well, as far too many have become victims as a consequence.
“Canadians deserve a justice system they can trust again, one that will protect innocent people, not to make life easier for repeat violent offenders. Conservatives will continue fighting to put victims first, impose meaningful consequences so violent criminals are held accountable and restore safety to Canada’s streets.”