QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Bail Reform
October 2, 2025
Government leader, last week Vancouver police issued a warning about the release of Randall Hopley, a repeat child abductor and sex offender, who hours after his last release was jailed again for breaching conditions.
Senator Moreau, when high-risk offenders like Mr. Hopley repeatedly violate release terms and remain a danger to our children, why does your government still free them back into our communities? Will the government finally admit the catch-and-release framework is broken and commit to bail reform so public safety takes priority over repeat offenders’ rights?
Thank you for the question. Community safety isn’t a talking point. It is the government’s responsibility. My understanding is that the government is taking that responsibility very seriously.
The government has committed to cracking down on repeat violent offenders and will strengthen the Criminal Code, as well as move aggressively to protect victims by making bail laws stricter for violent and organized crime, home invasion, car theft and human trafficking. I think that this is an answer to your question.
Government leader, Canadians are horrified by the steady stream of violent crimes committed by repeat offenders released under your government’s failed bail regime.
At the Victims and Survivors Symposium in Mississauga a few weeks ago, grieving families and police chiefs again demanded urgent bail reform, yet your government continues to defend reckless catch-and-release policies. Why does your government still put the rights of violent criminals ahead of the safety of Canadian families?
I will repeat the answer. The government is taking very seriously violent crimes and serial offenders. That is the reason why the Minister of Justice has indicated that he wants to amend the Criminal Code in order to have stricter bail laws and to ensure that violent crime is properly addressed in this country.
All Canadians should be reassured that the government priority is to make them feel safe in their communities.
