“I don't want you to think we're just keeping promises because we wrote them down. We really do care about crime. We're doing lots of stuff! All of my party agrees this is important.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Bail and Sentencing Reform Act
A bill to change how criminal sentencing works for non-citizens. During discussion, MPs debated bail and sentencing rules but also spent real time on their own election promises, internal party disputes, and arguing with each other's past records.
“I don't like adding more jail time for car theft. That won't stop crime. Studies say so.”
“I want to talk around the fact that I don't have a real answer. Let me spew some filler about shared responsibility and the importance of leadership. I'll avoid the actual question about whether our bill's consecutive sentences will work.”
“I want to talk about how important it is to pass my bill. I will say a lot about the parts of my own bill, then some about changes from the Senate. First, I will claim this isn't about party. Every Canadian wants to be safe. Every Canadian is tired of seeing criminals out instead of behind bars. I will tell a story about a tragic crime in my riding. People are outraged the criminal is out on bail. My bill would stop this. It would stop judges letting people out too soon. It would add stronger penalties in some cases. All of this is very good and very needed. For Senate changes, some are good and others not. One the Conservatives don't like is actually very important. Judges need discretion. Mandatory minimums failed because they don't give judges discretion. I will talk about enforcement and prisons too. If we get laws and enforcement right, fewer people will be in prison. That is why we need my bill passed fast. Then violent criminals won't be out with sentences I consider inadequate. I am very proud of this bill and another one I worked on. The government is serious about crime.”
“I am going to talk about you, not the bill. You used to say that the other party made communities unsafe. You used to say their policies helped criminals, not victims. You were right. Their policies are still the same. But now you sit with them. You also said that MPs who switch parties should ask their voters again. You switched. So when will you ask your voters who they want?”
“I don't like your question. I'm not going to answer it. I talked to the Prime Minister. The party knows what I think. They still let me join. I'm happy to be on their team. I used to say their old policies were bad. Now I say this new bill fixes that. So it must pass.”