QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Bail Reform
May 29, 2025
Leader, on April 15, a young tourist was randomly and violently attacked while walking along the seawall in Coal Harbour, Vancouver. She heard her alleged attacker had already been released on bail on April 14 after assaulting a peace officer in Surrey. He was then arrested for a second assault and once again released on bail April 23. He is currently under house arrest in the heart of Vancouver.
This is not an isolated case. Since the adoption of Bill C-75 and Bill C-5, violent crime has surged by 50%, and in 2022, 256 people were killed by individuals who were out on bail or under some other form of release. These are direct consequences of the Liberal government’s bail policies.
My question is: Will the government apologize to this young woman and to all other victims for allowing such dangerous offenders to be released immediately after committing violent crimes?
Thank you for your question. What a tragedy you’ve described. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of all victims of crime under all circumstances.
This government has made it clear that it will be introducing changes to the Criminal Code in a very targeted, evidence-based manner. It takes the need to protect Canadians seriously, and this new government will continue to work in that direction taking advice and input from citizens and from law enforcement as well.
Why does the government refuse to acknowledge its responsibility despite having ignored the letter from the provincial premiers in January of 2023 calling for a tougher bail system? Instead, the government tabled a mere 6‑page bill that was grossly insufficient.
Can the government admit that its soft-on-crime policy has failed? More importantly, how many more victims will it take before the government repeals its permissive legislation and finally undertakes the real reform of the bail system?
It’s the position of this government that the measures that they have announced and that it will be introducing are the appropriate measures to address the issues you raised. The government will continue to work and help make Canadians safe and feel safer.
