SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Ms. Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul, CPC)

Sep/18/23 12:19:25 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-48

Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer a very sincere congratulations to the new Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. I know he worked very hard for his appointment and certainly broke a number of glass ceilings with his historic appointment, so we offer our very sincere congratulations in that regard. I wish him the best of luck, because the country is facing some serious public safety issues that I hope he addresses. The minister recently gave an interview to Reuters and mentioned that he believed that “empirically” it is unlikely that Canadians are becoming less safe. That was his position a few weeks ago when he was first appointed. Unfortunately, we are seeing violent crime statistics up about 39% since the Liberals formed government in 2015. Murders are up 43%, gang-related homicides are up 108%, violent gun crime is up 101% and sexual assaults are up 71%. I could go on. I wonder how he squares that circle. Does he believe violent crime is up, yes or no?

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Arif Virani (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 12:39:52 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-48

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her contributions in this chamber in advancing public safety. I appreciate that she is committed to public safety. The member comes from Manitoba. Manitoba justice minister Kelvin Goertzen has himself said that the bill appears to be “hitting on a lot of the themes that ministers were concerned about” at the recent federal-provincial-territorial meeting. The justice minister in her home province is aligned with the sentiments she just expressed. The leader of His Majesty's loyal opposition said this summer, literally one month ago today, that he is ready to get this bill passed by midnight as soon as Parliament is back. My question to the member is simple. Parliament is back. We are ready to sit until midnight. Are the Conservatives going to support us in getting this bill to the Senate?

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Arif Virani (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 12:55:27 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-48

Mr. Speaker, the safety of our communities is a non-negotiable priority; it can never be partisan. As do parents across this country, I need to know that my sons are safe when they are on their way to school each and every morning. The measures contained in this bill, Bill C-48, are focused on keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets. We have the support of all law enforcement around the country. We have the support of 13 different provincial and territorial governments, including many Conservative governments that the member opposite works with closely. The one Conservative who is equivocating on this issue is the Leader of the Opposition. I want to ask him about a statement he gave to journalists, where he said, “We'll pass it this afternoon. In fact, call [the minister] and tell him I'm happy to bring back Parliament today. We'll pass bail reform by midnight.” Was the Leader of the Opposition being honest when he made that statement?

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Mr. Randall Garrison

Sep/18/23 1:49:40 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-48

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her concern about the lack of services in pretrial detention because it is a very important part of public safety. I am no expert on the internal workings of the Conservative Party, but it does seem peculiar when its leader, who has said that he was prepared to get this done in a day, no longer seems prepared to do that.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Sep/18/23 4:26:18 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-48

Madam Speaker, the member raises a very good point. Judicial jurisdiction in our courts and our laws is actually shared between Ottawa and provincial and territorial governments, so it is important we all work together at advancing and improving community safety. What is so good about Bill C-48 is that the background work was done. This is good, solid legislation that would make a positive difference in terms of safety in our communities.

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