QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Detention in Custody--Bail Reform
June 1, 2023
My question is for the government leader in the Senate.
Leader, you often accuse the opposition in the Senate of asking questions where facts are exaggerated. I will read you excerpts from an article in yesterday’s Prince George Citizen:
What is suspected to be a particularly deadly amount of fentanyl, as well as possible cocaine, methamphetamine, drug trafficking paraphernalia and cash, were seized from a home in the Hart two weeks ago.
“Police have identified the fentanyl seized as extremely potent and it is believed to be responsible for several drug overdose deaths in Prince George in the last month,” Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said in a statement issued Wednesday.
A suspect was arrested and later released pending charge approval.
Leader, this is exactly what was written in the newspaper: A drug dealer, believed to be responsible for several drug overdose deaths, was arrested and later released. Isn’t this the very definition of a catch-and-release policy? How is this helping the community of Prince George?
Thank you for your question.
Our legal system, which involves the exercise of judicial discretion consistent and coherent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is such that decisions whether or not to imprison and detain in prison someone who is charged with an offence are considered by a judge weighing all relevant considerations both constitutional and in law.
Unless I misunderstood your question, Senator Martin, I do not assume that anyone in this chamber would assume that it would be appropriate in a free and democratic society with a constitutional regime of rights to simply take everyone charged with an offence and lock them up until such time as they are tried.
This is not an example of catch and release. This is an example of the administration of justice doing its job properly, as it should.
