Arpan Khanna

“Mr. Speaker, people in Canada have been clear that they want their communities to be safe, that repeat violent offenders should be dealt with firmly and that the justice system must work to protect victims. That is exactly what the government is delivering through the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, formerly Bill C-14. The issues raised by my colleague are indeed serious. Organized crime, fentanyl trafficking and repeat offending cause real harm, but slogans about “catch and release” do not fix the problem. Careful, targeted reform does. That is what the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act has delivered. At its core, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act is about focusing the system where the risks are the highest. It has strengthened bail laws for repeat and violent offenders by clarifying that public safety must be central in decision-making. It has expanded the use of reverse onus provisions to address specific high-risk offences where the accused must demonstrate why they should be released. This is not an automatic detention, but it is a clear shift to ensure that those who pose the greatest danger face stricter scrutiny before being granted bail. The act also aims to improve the quality of bail decisions. Courts are now required to more rigorously assess release plans. Accused persons who are subject to a reverse onus will have to clearly demonstrate that their proposed plan addresses the risk they pose as it relates to the grounds of detention. This matters because Canadians have seen cases where conditions were imposed but not effective in managing risk. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act addresses these issues directly. On sentencing, the legislation introduces new aggravating factors and requires consecutive sentences in certain circumstances. This reinforces accountability and sends a message of denunciation and deterrence. However, legislation alone is not enough. Public safety depends on enforcement capacity, and the government is making those investments. The government is hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel to strengthen federal policing across our country. These officers will enhance our ability to combat organized crime networks, financial crime, online exploitation and drug trafficking operations, like those referenced by the member opposite. At the border, the government is making one of the largest security investments in recent history, $1.3 billion, to strengthen Canada’s borders and immigration system. This includes hiring 800 new border services officers as well as 200 additional personnel in critical roles such as intelligence, enforcement and investigations. These are the very people who intercept illegal drugs, disrupt smuggling operations and protect our communities before harm occurs. This is a comprehensive strategy: stronger laws, stronger enforcement and smarter prevention. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act is not about rhetoric. It is about results. It targets repeat and violent offenders, strengthens bail and sentencing, and backs it up with historic investments in policing and border security. That is how we protect people in Canada, and that is how we build a safer community for all.”