“Dealing fentanyl is wrong. We changed laws to put dangerous criminals in jail, but judges still need the freedom to decide the right punishment for each case. We are open to more ways to make the justice system stronger.”

“Mr. Speaker, let me first condemn the behaviour of anyone who takes part in the trade or trafficking of fentanyl or other dangerous drugs that have the potential to take the lives of Canadians. For our part, we have advanced a series of major legal reforms to ensure that criminals who commit serious crimes that pose a danger to the public find themselves behind bars. We also believe that the judicial system in Canada should retain its independence to be able to consider a multitude of factors to ensure that the punishment fits the crime in a given set of circumstances. We are happy to continue to look for ways in which we can strengthen the criminal justice system to protect Canadians and ensure justice for those who commit serious offences.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 43 of 100

  None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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“People who commit serious crimes while on temporary status should face full legal consequences, including being sent out of the country. However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that judges can look at many factors to decide on a fair punishment. The member asking this question was in cabinet back then and did nothing about it.”

“Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, when a person with a temporary or non-permanent immigration status commits a serious crime, they should face the full range of the consequences permissible under the law. Oftentimes, that includes deportation, but the Supreme Court of Canada actually rendered judgment on this issue in 2013, indicating that courts retained the jurisdiction to hear a range of different factors to ensure that there is a fit sentence. What is fascinating is that, at the time, the member who posed the question was actually sitting at the federal cabinet table, was aware of the decision and chose to do absolutely nothing about it.”