Justice

Question Period focused on justice, mainly parole hearings and bail. Conservatives said victims’ families are forced to attend parole hearings every two years, citing the families of Constable Todd Baylis and of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy ahead of Paul Bernardo’s next hearing, and asked the government to support Conservative proposals to lengthen the interval and to tighten bail rules, citing a Sainte-Foy case where suspects were released and re-arrested. Government members, including Ministers Anandasangaree, Sahota and Fraser, said they have passed legislation to strengthen bail and sentencing and support victims, noted they have met with the Toronto Police Association and officers’ families, and said they make changes carefully so laws will withstand constitutional challenge; they also said Conservatives have voted against the government’s public safety bills. Conservatives replied that the government has had a decade to fix the system and has rejected opposition bills instead.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

8 statements

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“I want to honour Todd Baylis, a police officer killed on duty in 1994. Our government protects victims and makes our justice system stronger. We passed laws to make bail and sentencing tougher and to protect victims' rights. I am working with the Toronto police union to keep making our laws stronger.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me take a moment to remember Todd Baylis, who was killed in the line of duty in 1994. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our government is committed to strengthening our criminal justice system and protecting victims’ rights. That is why we passed Bill C-14, to strengthen bail and sentencing, as well as Bill C-16, to strengthen victims’ rights. I continue to engage with the Toronto Police Association to ensure that we strengthen our laws.

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“The opposition should not play politics with this issue. I have already met with the Toronto Police Association several times, and I have met with their lawyer.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that the issue is being politicized. I have met with the Toronto Police Association on a number of occasions. I have also met with their counsel— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“Victims have the right to be heard and to attend these hearings. We are working with the Toronto police union to make sure our laws keep all Canadians safe.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that this matter is being politicized. What I will say is that victims absolutely deserve their right to be heard, as well as to be in attendance at these important hearings. We have been working with the Toronto Police Association. My commitment is to continue to work with them, to ensure that we have laws that reflect their needs but also to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“This Sunday, families of police officers killed on the job will be in Ottawa. I look forward to meeting with them. Our government will always support police officers and their families.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will note that this Sunday, many families of those officers who have been killed in the line of duty will be here in Ottawa. I look forward to meeting with those family members and to express our continued solidarity with those who died in the line of duty. I will also take this opportunity, as Constable Jeff Smith is fighting for his life, to ensure and to reiterate our support for law enforcement on the front lines. We will always be there to support them and their families.

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“All members of Parliament support police officers and victims of crime. Public safety is not a partisan competition, and no party cares about it more than the others.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, with great respect, what a disingenuous comment. All of us in this House, every single member of Parliament who was elected, stand with law enforcement, stand with victims and stand with those who have died in the line of duty. This is not a competition. We will ensure the safety and security of Canadians, and we will always stand with those on the front lines. It is shameful to suggest that one party stands with victims over another.

Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)

Liberal
“We have worked hard to update our criminal laws over the last 15 months. We are careful to make sure our laws respect the Constitution and the courts. The Conservatives propose laws that the courts would strike down. We are open to changes, but we will make the ones that are right for Canada.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have been working aggressively and diligently to reform the Criminal Code of Canada over the last 15 months. However, we are very careful in making sure that we pass legislation in this House that will stand up to our Constitution and to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Conservatives believe in creating laws in this House, and confusing Canadians with laws, that are never going to withstand a charter challenge. We are open to making reforms, but we will make the reforms that are right for our country and for Canadians.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Liberal
“Our bill is tough on serious crime and keeps violent criminals in prison. It also gives more support to victims and their families. We will listen to victims, police, and experts to keep communities safe.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is well aware that we introduced a bill to combat serious crime in our communities and to make the criminal justice system tougher on those who commit offences. We have not only put forward laws that are going to do more to keep violent offenders behind bars. We have also included stronger supports for participants and families when it comes to their role, when it comes to understanding the impact on those families and victims at parole hearings and transfers between different levels of security systems. We will work with victims to understand their concerns, and we will advance policies on the advice of experts and police to help keep communities safe.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Liberal
“The Conservatives say they want to be tough on crime, but they vote against and delay our bills to keep communities safe. We are actually passing laws to protect victims. The Conservatives should vote for these safety measures.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the member cannot be serious. The member had the opportunity not just to take action but even to offer his thoughts when it came to the bills that we put forward to help protect communities. What did he actually do? He voted against the measures to strengthen security in this country, and his entire caucus sought to delay the implementation of the very bills they have been calling for for years. We need some honesty in this House. We need some integrity in this House. We need words to match actions. On this side of the House, we will not only tell the story of how we are going to protect victims, but we will adopt the laws that will do so. If the Conservatives want to talk a big game on crime, the least they can do is vote for the measures to protect—

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