QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Parole Board of Canada
September 28, 2022
Senator Gold, in last week’s ministerial Question Period with Minister Marc Miller, I asked a question regarding the inherent problems with Canada’s revolving-door justice system, which too often lets violent offenders roam free, as was the case of Myles Sanderson, who prior to committing the horrific attacks in Saskatchewan had 59 former convictions.
Your colleague’s answer was:
There are systemic natures to the violence and the response needs to be a systemic one that cannot be limited to policing our way out of the problem or locking people in jail and throwing away the key.
Leader, I found this answer troubling. While I can appreciate that not every case is the same, it is certainly up to our justice system to exercise good judgment to determine which cases put the safety of Canadians at risk. We sadly saw what the consequences are of failing to properly do so earlier this month in Saskatchewan.
Leader, unlike your colleague, do you believe that there are any circumstances in which an individual should be incarcerated for a certain period of time? Aren’t 59 convictions enough?
Thank you for your question. I share your concern and all Canadians’ concerns for the quality and efficacy of our criminal justice system. I agree with the minister that there are many aspects that need to be addressed, including our correctional system and the criminal justice system. But there are broader social determinants of crime and delinquency that also have to be considered. If your question is whether I believe in mandatory minimum sentences, I think the evidence is compelling that they fail to deliver on their promise. In that regard, the government is very pleased to have brought forward Bill C-5, which is currently being studied in committee and, I hope, has the support of all senators.
Senator Gold, I’m sure you can appreciate that it is not very reassuring to Canadians to hear a minister of the government, or indeed the leader of the government in this chamber, say the solution is not to lock people in jail and throw away the key. Nor does it offer any comfort to the families who have lost loved ones in the Saskatchewan tragedy. I guess Canadians will just have to lock their doors because the only answer the Liberals have to offer is ideology.
Leader, how many more tragedies need to occur for this Liberal government to understand that their soft-on-crime approach only puts Canadians at risk?
Senator Plett, this government is not soft on crime. It is being serious about crime and its causes and effects. The tragedies that happened are tragedies, and, with the greatest of respect, this is not something that should be used to gain ideological points just because the party you represent has a different position on how to address crime than others. This government believes it is on the right track and it is firm, resolute and responsible in response to the real causes and consequences of crime.
