Jacques Ramsay
La Prairie—Atateken, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I was heartbroken to learn about Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. My heart is with his family and loved ones. With an 18-year stellar record, Marc was known as someone who was courageous and respected, and a man who put others before himself.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Constable Pinizzotto, as well as officers of the Toronto Police Service. Constable Pinizzotto was killed while participating in an investigation relating to multiple shootings in Toronto, including the shooting of the U.S. consulate.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question. The government has taken all necessary measures. We are taking this situation very seriously. We have reviewed 18,000 Iranian visas. All men of military age have been screened and scrutinized.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government is aware of the challenges facing SMEs, particularly the issue of hiring well-trained employees. With the team Canada strong initiative, we want to address these challenges by offering grants to apprentices in Red Seal skilled trades and to the SMEs that hire them.”
“Mr. Speaker, I found it interesting that the hon. member raised that subject, since the government, within one year, has done more than any government before it: Bill C-8 on cyberthreat, Bill C-9 on heinous crimes, Bill C-12 on border security, Bill C-14 on bail reform and more severe sentences, Bill C-16 on protecting victims and acceler…”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the House that the government has made massive investments to strengthen the services provided by the RCMP and the CBSA. We are taking action to crack down on gang-related violence and hate crimes. Bill C-14 will soon come into force to reform—”
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“Mr. Speaker, I apologize. What the member for York—Durham was alluding to is CARM, a newer software from 2024. It is not unusual for there to be outages or bugs with new software. Furthermore, the department is not happy about the high number of outages, and the minister has acknowledged that. This is nothing new. I am not revealing anything new here in the House today. The minister has requested an investigation into this matter and has asked the agency to share its findings with him. Based on these findings, we will take action and ensure that those responsible, if anyone is responsible, are held accountable. That said, beyond this new software, the border plan is much broader than that.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by mentioning that the Canada Border Services Agency manages borders at 1,200 designated ports of entry. It works very hard. It enforces our laws and constitutes our first line of defence nationwide. The CBSA is an impressive organization with 8,500 frontline employees who play a critical role every day in protecting our communities, stopping the flow of illegal goods and preventing inadmissible individuals from entering Canada and committing offences. We have a strong border. We continue to look for ways to make it even stronger. The CBSA assessment and revenue management system, or CARM, which is what Mr. Mantle is referring to, is software—”
“Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to two women who have left their mark on municipal life in my riding of La Prairie—Atateken. Jocelyne Bates was first elected as a councillor for Sainte‑Catherine in 1990 and then went on to serve as mayor for 31 consecutive years. She was also the first woman to hold the position of reeve of the Roussillon RCM. Lise Poissant served as a councillor for Saint‑Mathieu for 10 years and then served as mayor for two decades. Both women represent public service at its best: selfless, ever-present, consistent, legendarily generous and unfailingly honest. Both have helped their towns grow into orderly, green, inclusive places. On behalf of myself and all the citizens of La Prairie—Atateken, I would like to thank Jocelyne and Lise for their dedication, vision and service.”
“Mr. Speaker, to answer the question I can simply go back to what I was saying earlier. Investments create a virtuous cycle that grows the economy, increases GDP, and generates more revenue for the government. That is what our government is proposing to Canadians. Ultimately, Canadians sent us here to do just that. They believed in our plan, and we are delivering on it. I think it will work. I think that in a few years, our economy will run smoothly and Canadians will thank us for the initiatives we are taking right now. It is a matter of trusting Canadians. We trust in the country and we trust our workers and businesses.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think similar problems exist in my colleague's riding and in my riding of La Prairie—Atateken. As just one example, we hear a lot about housing construction, but there is an underlying problem, which is the lack of infrastructure needed to support that construction. With this measure, we will enable cities and towns to obtain subsidies to build the infrastructure needed to accommodate people, thereby increasing the density of our regions. Cities will also eventually have the means to improve public transit. We need to keep in mind that these things are all part of a whole.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think these are valid suggestions that deserve to be studied. I think that Quebec in particular has more temporary workers because the process leading to permanent residency was more complex. Certain things need to be checked with our provincial partners, including the Government of Quebec, but some things can certainly be done. The health of our economy depends on it. The health of our businesses depends on it. The same goes for Quebec's workers. We have to look at the big picture.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that is close to my heart as well. In my riding, La Prairie—Atateken, there are also businesses that depend on temporary foreign workers. It is important to understand that our local workers also depend on these businesses that rely on foreign workers, so it is not a question of one or the other. We are building our economy together. Our government is considering this issue. I believe that announcements will be made shortly, by sector and by region. I think we need a smart solution that benefits the places where it is needed.”
“These measures will make Canada one of the most business-friendly countries in terms of tax benefits. Investments create a virtuous circle by growing the economy, which increases the GDP and generates more revenue for the state, which enables it to maintain its social programs so that no Canadian is left behind. Everyone in La Prairie—Atateken will benefit from this budget, which should encourage them to look to the future with confidence.”
“Rather than focusing on any one sector in particular, it is important to focus on what is now known as the productivity superdeduction, which applies to all sectors of business, small, medium and large. The purpose of the superdeduction is to allow businesses to immediately write off a larger share of the cost of their new investments. That will encourage businesses to invest and grow. The deduction applies to scientific research and experimental development, as well as to capital assets, the cost of manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment, the cost of clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment and the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. This is a $110-billion investment that the government is making over five years to stimulate the economy.”
“Funding for the National Public Alerting System will allow for more accurate weather forecasting models and therefore more informed decisions to protect Canadians and their property. Finally, I would like to say a few words about the economy. Companies in my riding are happy with budget 2025 because it offers several business opportunities. First, I want to mention the significant investments that will be made in national defence. It is important to remember that contracts should now be awarded locally rather than centrally, as has been the case in recent years. The fact that the Saint-Jean military base is nearby means that many companies in my riding of La Prairie—Atateken could soon be awarded service contracts.”
“I would like to remind members that our party is making this program permanent this year, despite the incomprehensible and shameful opposition of the Conservatives, who went so far as to call this measure “garbage”. In public safety, this government has taken several initiatives to ensure that Canadians feel safer in their homes and communities. I have spoken on several occasions in the House to praise the new investments and legislative tools now available to fight transnational gangs and organized crime at our borders and in our communities. Today, I want to focus on initiatives that are less impressive but just as essential. For example, modernizing the Meteorological Service of Canada is imperative in light of the very real changes in our climate.”
“This affects hundreds of people in La Prairie—Atateken. I also want to mention the dental care plan, which continues to grow as more and more Canadians become aware of this essential program. In a nutshell, Canadian residents with a family income of less than $90,000 are quite likely to qualify. I encourage residents of La Prairie—Atateken who believe they are entitled to receive this service to find out more by calling or visiting Service Canada at the Brossard office. For our children, Canada's national school food program should enable thousands of children in my riding to enjoy healthy meals at school, giving them an equal chance at educational success and overall development.”
“It is also creating the financial crime agency, which will be tasked with stopping organized crime and online financial fraud. Finally, the national anti-fraud strategy will reduce the risk of individuals falling victim to fraudulent schemes, which are unfortunately constantly evolving and becoming increasingly complex. When it comes to health care, it is increasingly difficult to retain much-needed personal support workers, the very people we called “the guardian angels of the health care system” not so long ago. I am also pleased to see the $1,100 tax credit granted annually to personal support workers for the next six years. Still on the subject of health, I also welcome the lowering of barriers to access the Canada disability benefit for low-income, working-age persons with disabilities.”
“The government is also launching the youth climate corps, a significant innovation that offers paid training placements that teach participants green skills. The youth climate corps will help respond to climate emergencies, support community recovery and contribute to initiatives that strengthen community resilience in La Prairie—Atateken and across the country. We may have paid particular attention to young people, but we have not neglected seniors. We have made several commitments to them. I am particularly proud to announce three initiatives aimed at combatting the financial exploitation of people who are often less familiar with new financial tools. For seniors, the government will propose a code of conduct for banking institutions aimed at preventing financial exploitation.”
“[ Translation ] Entering the job market is hard for young Canadians in La Prairie—Atateken and elsewhere. Fortunately, housing construction will require a new generation of builders and will generate several thousands of jobs. The union training and innovation program, with its $75-million purse, will support apprenticeship training for the major trades. Red Seal certification will also allow them to ply their trade anywhere in Canada. Other programs are also available to support our young people, including the Canada summer jobs program, which has been substantially increased, the youth employment and skills strategy and the student work placement program. These will allow more young people to get that first job experience under their belts and, I hope, gain the confidence and skills they need to embark on a rewarding, well-paid career.”
“This means things like cutting red tape, making it easier to access financing and allowing projects to be built on government-owned land. With investments totalling $25 billion over five years in housing, we are boosting home construction and making housing more accessible. The goal is to cut construction time in half, reduce housing prices by 20% and do all this with less polluting, domestic materials. (1235) [ English ] Sustaining housing and infrastructure for first nations is also present in the budget, with $3 billion affected for the construction of new lodgings, whether in urban or rural environments. Hence, a substantial amount of money will be made available for the Kahnawà:ke community, offering many possibilities for new houses.”
“Despite this, demand for housing in the towns in my riding substantially exceeds supply, driving up prices. People know that La Prairie—Atateken is a great place to live, which is why they want to move there, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so. The average age of new home buyers has risen from 26 to 36 in the last decade. Couples and young families with children are struggling to save the down payment required for this purchase. Fortunately, the affordability legislation will give first-time homebuyers a GST holiday and allow them to save up to $50,000 on the purchase of a brand new home. That is money they can put towards a down payment. With Build Canada Homes, the government is also taking concrete action to address challenges to get housing projects built.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take a few minutes to review the measures in the 2025 budget that will impact my constituents in La Prairie—Atateken. Last week, while walking down Saint-Pierre Street in Saint‑Constant, I was able to see how the budget is addressing the concerns of the many people I spoke with. I am going to start with Bill C‑4 , making life more affordable for Canadians act and its flagship measure, a substantial tax reduction that lowers the tax rate for the first $57,000 of income from 15% to 14.5% and then to 14%, saving each taxpayer up to $420 per year. Furthermore, there is a pressing demand for housing in La Prairie—Atateken. In five years, the median price of single-family homes has risen from $400,000 to $639,000. That is an increase of 57%.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and in accordance with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between Canada and Ukraine on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters”, done at Kyiv on August 24.”
“Mr. Speaker, we respect Supreme Court decisions. We will analyze them, and my colleagues in the Department of Justice will handle things from there. In the House, we respect the RCMP. Our leader is not like the Conservative leader , who called this institution despicable. We respect the Supreme Court and we respect our institutions. When it comes to public safety, we are investing to protect a business climate that will allow the economy to grow, create good jobs and help Canadians cope with economic challenges. When they buy a home, feed their families or send their children to school, Canadians see their safety as being inseparable from the economic recovery they want to see.”
“This is an essential step for a harmonious national rollout. Later this fall, we are going to launch the nationwide program. The weapons will be collected in early 2026. Participation in the program is voluntary, but compliance with the law is not. These weapons will remain prohibited, and owners will have to deactivate them or turn them in to the police before the amnesty period ends. The program is therefore fair and equitable for these owners. This is their chance to get fair market value for their firearms.”
“Our government is committed to strengthening gun control and reducing gun violence in Canada, while ensuring that owners of assault-style weapons are treated with fairness and respect. In 2020, when Gabriel Wortman killed 22 people in Portapique, Nova Scotia, our government responded to Canadians' demands by banning more than 2,000 models of assault-style weapons. These weapons pose a significant risk to public safety and have no place in our communities. Today, we are determined to offer fair and effective compensation for these weapons. As of April 30, 2025, more than 12,000 prohibited weapons have been recovered from businesses, and approximately $22 million has been paid out in compensation. Last month, we took the next step by launching a pilot project for individual owners in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.”
“Whether it is the national school food program, which is helping us take 400,000 kids out of food bank lineups, the Canada child benefit, which has lifted 30% of kids out of poverty, the new Canada disability benefit, the Canadian dental care plan, or child care, they have voted against every single one. They also voted against the the assault-style firearms compensation program, a program designed to target combat weapons that have nothing to do with hunting or sport shooting. The weapons we are taking out of circulation are tactical military weapons, often with magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. We remain committed to responsible gun ownership, with over 19,000 models still permitted for legal use for all types of hunting and target shooting.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Regina—Lewvan changed his question a little, but we will answer it anyway. Like the member, the Conservatives invariably present the situation as though we live in a binary world. It is always one or the other. It is either the assault-style firearms compensation program or support for food banks. On this side of the House, we have chosen both: support for families as well as the means to keep those families safe, with concrete measures to help and protect Canadians. In other words, the Liberals do both. The reality is that if the Conservatives had their way, they would do neither. Not only do the Conservatives oppose gun control on military-style weapons, but they call the RCMP despicable, and every time they have a chance to vote for something to support families, they vote against it.”
“Reducing the risk of recidivism is one of the ways we are fighting crime. As parliamentarians, we must ensure that any legislation we pass is guided by fairness as our objective, while fully respecting the Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We must strike a balance between taking victims' needs into account and ensuring that all legal rights are respected. That is why I want to emphasize that further analysis is needed to ensure that the bill is charter compliant. This legislation must be fair and respect the fundamental charters and principles of Canadian justice.”
“This includes victim impact statements, psychological assessments, the offender's behaviour while incarcerated, and their progress in their correctional plan. (1240) The Parole Board must be satisfied that the offender's release will not pose an undue risk to society. If the risk cannot be safely managed in the community, parole must be denied. This happens regularly. That said, parole allows for a more gradual, more structured transition with conditions that include ongoing supervision and the ability to return the person to custody if they fail to meet their conditions. By involving offenders in their own rehabilitation and providing them with a framework for supervised release, we are actively working to reduce the risk of recidivism. This measure helps prevent future victimization and improves the safety of our communities.”
“Offenders have to earn it through a demonstrable improvement in their behaviour, a reduction in risk and an ongoing commitment to their rehabilitation. Even if an offender is granted parole, they continue to serve the remainder of their sentence under strict supervision and stringent conditions. In offering offenders the opportunity to earn conditional release, we strongly encourage them to participate in the correctional program. We address the root causes of their criminal behaviour, such as substance abuse or mental health issues, and develop a credible release plan with community support measures. Furthermore, when the Parole Board assesses an offender's case, it makes a decision based on a thorough review of all the information available to it.”
“Although the principle behind Bill C‑243 is commendable, in its current form, the bill could give rise to significant legal challenges over an offender's charter right to liberty and security of person. Let me explain. The ability to apply for parole even after being previously denied is fundamental to an offender's successful rehabilitation, something that our criminal justice system is also designed to encourage. Parole is not a “get out of jail free” card. It is a form of conditional release, a structured and supervised transition from incarceration to release into the community. For offenders serving a life sentence for murder, parole is always granted at the discretion of the Parole Board of Canada.”
“We owe it to them to put an end to the emotional suffering they experience every year or every other year when hearings are held and they come face to face with the person who murdered their loved one. The premise of this bill, namely to limit excessive parole applications after an initial refusal, is a necessary measure to support victims and to make the judicial process more compassionate toward them. That being said, we also have a solemn duty as parliamentarians to uphold the supreme law of our land, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A law that is bound to be challenged in court at the earliest opportunity does not serve the best interests of victims if it cannot pass the charter test.”
“The idea behind Bill C‑243 is simple: to bring some comfort and peace to the victims' families. This bill responds to the legitimate concerns of Canadians, who believe that our justice system sometimes prioritizes the rights of criminals over the rights and needs of victims. It recognizes that a life sentence for murder is a serious punishment for the irreversible loss of a human life. Repeated applications for parole force families to constantly relive the worst moments of their lives, compounding their suffering indefinitely. For many families, this measure does not do justice to the victims. Instead, it prolongs their suffering. We have a duty in the House to listen to these victims and take action.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak to Bill C-243 , an important piece of legislation formerly known as Brian's bill, in honour of Brian Ilesic, a young man who was tragically murdered in Edmonton. I think we are all aware of the ongoing trauma that victims' families experience during parole hearings when they are forced to relive the heinous crimes committed against their loved ones over and over, as countless parole applications are filed by individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder. Bill C‑243 seeks to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Under the proposed amendments, once the Parole Board of Canada has made an initial decision to cancel, deny or revoke an offender's parole, the offender would be required to comply with the statutory time frames for future reviews. They would not be able to reapply annually.”
“Madam Speaker, the programs offered within our correctional services allow prisoners to learn new skills and ensure that, when they get out of prison, they will be able to find a job and not find themselves back in prison. These programs are very popular among inmates and well liked by the general public.”
“Mr. Speaker, everyone in Canada deserves to be safe and to feel safe, including our indigenous communities. We will ensure that they have the police services, resources and tools they need to deal with this crisis. We will fight crime and fight inequality in this regard. That is why Canadians elected us. That is why indigenous communities have confidence in us. We will be there. We are monitoring the situation. We will ensure that the crisis is resolved as quickly as possible.”
“The scale and financial impact of procuring AEDs for the RCMP would need to be assessed, and may eventually be assessed, in consultation with contract partners to determine the extent to which these devices could be deployed.”
“Mr. Speaker, currently, the RCMP provides contract policing services through police service agreements. The costs for RCMP services are shared between the provincial, territorial or municipal government, and the federal government. With the exception of Ontario and Quebec, RCMP contract policing services are provided to all other provinces and territories in Canada, as well as to approximately 150 municipalities. It is the RCMP's contract partners, the provinces, territories and municipalities, that establish the level of resourcing, budgets and policing priorities in their respective jurisdictions. Ultimately, decisions made by the government of local jurisdiction can impact the RCMP's ability to allocate funding for the purchase of new equipment.”
“Although the RCMP's main responsibility is law enforcement, it frequently assists in broader first responder duties. In doing so, it maintains a commitment to protecting both its personnel and the public. Nevertheless, as far as a deployment of AED in every RCMP vehicle, it cannot be endorsed at this time. Such a program needs more study, including a careful evaluation of costs and benefits.”
“Therefore, the AEDs are less useful than in urban settings. This just means that they need to be evaluated, and a national rollout would require consultation with partners, as well as an indepth needs analysis to determine what device is needed. As well, we need to look at varying operational parameters, including climate, temperature and durability, given the vastly different operating environments in which the RCMP provides policing services across the country. Sometimes in the far north, there are below zero or sub-zero temperatures. Finally, there would also be a requirement for an assessment of financial considerations, including additional costs required for the ongoing maintenance and replacement costs of the devices.”
“This enables greater access to AEDs for use as a critical life-saving tool during cardiac emergencies. While AEDs are not mandated by any federal legislation or regulation, the RCMP recognizes their benefit in specific locations and has adopted a limited AED program. AEDs have been approved for installation and use in certain facilities, including emergency medical response teams, some protective policing details, the divisional fitness and lifestyles program, and in provinces that require AEDs to be available per provincial policing standards. While the idea is interesting, it does need to be carefully considered, as a program such as this cannot be improvised. As the member for Lanark—Frontenac very well knows, RCMP are mainly deployed in rural areas where the response time is longer than in an urban setting.”
“This year, the Heart and Stroke Foundation indicated, “Each year in Canada, an estimated 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital.” The use of a life-saving measure, such as CPR or an AED, on an individual experiencing cardiac arrest doubles their chance of survival, according to both the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. All RCMP officers are required to be trained and recertified in the use of AEDs, along with CPR and first aid certification, every three years. This important training and skills maintenance supports the broader first responder capabilities of the RCMP. Public access to and installation of AEDs has become more prevalent across Canada in recent years, including in places such as sports and athletics facilities and recreation centres.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Lanark—Frontenac for this very interesting, pertinent question. I thank him for the opportunity to speak to the topic of AEDs in RCMP vehicles. While the RCMP's primary mandate is for the provision of law enforcement services, it is often called upon to support and fulfill broader first responder roles. The RCMP remains committed to doing so in its efforts to protect the safety of the public it serves, as well as its employees.”
“Mr. Speaker, our government has already taken decisive action to protect victims of intimate partner violence. Bill C‑75 made it harder for repeat offenders to get bail. Under Bill C‑48 , anyone previously convicted of intimate partner violence is required to demonstrate why they should be released, even if they had previously received a discharge. Our government is not stopping there. Today, we are introducing new reforms that target repeat violent offenders. They were developed following extensive consultations with the provinces and territories. These measures demonstrate our government's steadfast commitment to strengthening public safety and ensuring an effective justice system.”
“When an accused person is seeking bail, in certain situations, the onus will now be on them to prove that they do not pose a risk to the victim or to society. This is known as a reverse onus. It applies to certain offences where the accused choked, suffocated or strangled the victim. The police must deny release if it is contrary to the public interest or if detention is necessary to protect victims and witnesses. Courts will also have to take into account specific factors, such as whether the violence was random or unprovoked, and whether there are any outstanding charges. Bailey McCourt's death is a stark reminder that, behind every court case, there is a family and a community forever marked by the loss of a loved one. The—”
“Finally, the law expanded the definition of intimate partner to include not only married and common-law spouses, but also dating partners. It is shameful that the Conservatives want to repeal that legislation. Our government's efforts do not stop there. Today, the federal government tabled Bill C-14 , the bail and sentencing reform act. This bill proposes sweeping reforms to make bail laws stricter and toughen sentencing laws for violent and repeat offenders. It is also designed to support law enforcement and invest in long-term prevention. These reforms are the outcome of extensive consultations with the provinces, territories and key stakeholders, including police departments, law societies and victim support organizations. Bill C‑14 focuses on offenders who pose a serious danger to public safety.”
“They represent lost lives, broken families and human tragedies that demand a strong, coordinated response. That is exactly why this government took action. As far back as 2019, through Bill C-75 , the government strengthened bail provisions in cases of intimate partner violence. That legislation introduced a reverse onus at the bail stage for anyone accused of a violent offence against an intimate partner, particularly when the accused had previously been convicted of such an offence, in other words, when the accused is a repeat offender. It also required courts to consider prior convictions for intimate partner violence when determining whether the accused could be released and, if so, under what conditions.”
“Mr. Speaker, the tragic death of Bailey McCourt shocked our communities and highlighted the urgent need to strengthen our justice system's response to domestic violence. Her life was cut short by an act of unparalleled brutality. I offer my deepest condolences to her loved ones. Today, we must honour her memory, but words are not enough. Concrete action must also be taken, and that is what this government intends to do. Intimate partner violence is a serious and unacceptable crime that invariably has profound and lasting consequences for victims, families and communities. Between 2011 and 2021, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada. Of these homicides, Statistics Canada determined that two-thirds, or 66%, were committed by an intimate partner. These figures are not just data.”
“Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague knows full well that we cannot announce the measures that will be in the upcoming bill, which will be announced this week. He knows full well what our obligations are, and I hope he is not asking me to betray them. Let me be clear: Our government is taking action. Our government is ramping up its efforts with new legislation and major investments. We are supporting our provincial and territorial partners. We are working as a team, and we will continue to fund the courts, train justices of the peace and expand community-based solutions. We will be introducing a new reliable, robust and constitutional bill in the coming days.”
“Stringent federal laws are only a part of the equation. Bail is a shared responsibility. The provinces and territories have to ensure that courts have sufficient resources, that justices of the peace are properly trained and that community supervision programs are in place. Without these supports, even the most robust federal laws are destined to fail. That is why our government continues to call for cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Public safety requires coordination, investment and evidence-based solutions, not slogans or scapegoats. Canadians deserve safe communities and a fair justice system. Let us move forward together, with targeted, practical reforms grounded in principles, not in politics. Let us turn away from fear and division. Let us focus—”
“In 2024, Parliament strengthened these protections through former Bill C‑48 , which expanded the reverse onus provision for intimate partner violence and made targeted amendments to better deal with repeat offenders and violent offences involving firearms and other weapons. The federal government is also investing $1.8 billion over four years to hire 1,000 new RCMP employees, increase federal policing capacity, and crack down on financial crime, online fraud, and organized criminal networks. This includes increasing the recruitment allowance and allocating new resources to the recovery of illicit assets. Our government is working with the provinces, territories and local law enforcement to address the root causes of crime while investing in affordable housing, mental health and substance use supports, and programs for at-risk youth.”
“These reforms codified the principle of restraint, a long-standing rule of criminal law that was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in 2017 in the Antic decision, which requires pre-trial detention to be ordered only when necessary to ensure the accused's attendance in court, to protect the public or to maintain confidence in the administration of justice. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the presumption of innocence and the right to reasonable bail unless there is just cause for detention. These are the cornerstones of a free and democratic society. That said, the law is clear: No one should be released on bail if they pose a flight risk or a danger to the public, or if their release could undermine confidence in the justice system.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to address concerns about public safety and bail reform. Canadians are rightly concerned about repeat and violent offending. They expect our justice system to keep communities safe while upholding the rule of law. Let me be clear. Former Bill C‑75 does not require courts to release violent offenders at the earliest opportunity and under the least onerous conditions. That characterization is simply false. Bill C‑75 modernized and clarified the bail provisions in the Criminal Code. It ensured that non-violent, low-risk individuals were not detained unnecessarily, while giving judges the discretion to detain dangerous individuals when public safety was at risk.”