91原创 Advance Times runs this weekly feature, call it 鈥淎t Your Service.鈥�
It鈥檚 another forum in which to put questions to our local politicians about key issues facing our community and its residents.
Using a basic question-and-answer format, elected officials will be asked one question at a time and given the opportunity to respond (to a maximum of 250 words) on that said issue.
Alternating between elected groups, 91原创 City and 91原创 Township councils, 91原创 school board, 91原创 MLAs, and 91原创 MPs each have a chance to participate.
The answers provided will be published in their entirety online each Sunday.
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QUESTION
Both 91原创 MPs were asked: How should the criminal justice system be reformed to deal with habitual offenders?
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ANSWERS
MP John Aldag
A. Serious crimes will always receive serious punishments.
The laws are clear: if an accused poses a serious risk to public safety, if there are concerns that they will not appear in court or that they will breach their conditions 鈥� they should be denied bail.
Managing repeat violent offenders requires all levels of government to work together on an integrated response to keep people safe.
The federal government is responsible for criminal law and the provincial governments are responsible for the administration of justice, including investigating and prosecuting most criminal code offences, conducting bail hearings, and enforcing bail conditions within their respective authority.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti will be meeting with the provinces to discuss this important issue.
Organizations like the Canadian Bar Association have said that reducing court delays is central to reducing re-offending.
This has been at the forefront of our work at the federal level.
The government changed bail conditions for repeat offenders with weapons through the previous Bill C-75. Bill C-75, without contravening the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, amended the criminal code to introduce a 鈥渞everse onus鈥� for bail imposed on an accused charged with certain firearms offences; the accused is detained pending trial unless they can prove to the court that bail is justified.
Our government also made it harder to release offenders on bail for certain infractions, such as intimate partner violence. Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities, and this continues to be a priority for our government.
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MP Tako van Popta
A. Canadians are seeing firsthand the deadly impacts of soft-on-crime Liberal policies.
A small number of dangerous repeat violent offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime, and in B.C. alone, about 200 frequent offenders were collectively involved in 11,600 confrontations with the police within the span of a year.
At justice committee, I asked OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique what impact the Liberal Bill C-75 has had on law enforcement officers. This bill was passed in 2018 and made it easier for violent criminals to receive bail.
He informed me that between the years of 2018 and 2022 in Ontario, there was a 72-per-cent increase in violent crimes committed by repeat violent offenders who were on bail.
The Liberals have worsened the situation further with the recent passage of their Bill C-5, which eliminated mandatory prison time for serious crimes committed with guns.
Every premier in Canada and many police associations are calling on the government to reform Canada鈥檚 broken bail system.
The Liberals must immediately repeal the elements of Bills C-75 and C-5 that enable repeat offenders, and they must act to strengthen Canada鈥檚 bail laws so that those who are prohibited from possessing firearms do not easily get bail.
A Conservative government will reform our broken bail system to ensure the small number of dangerous repeat violent offenders are not put back on the streets. We will enact common sense laws to protect Canadians, keep our communities safe, and restore safe streets.
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UP NEXT
Next week, 91原创 City council is being asked: How would a de-integration of 91原创 RCMP into separate City and Township detachments affect policing and public safety in the City, and would you support or oppose it?
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Watch for their answers online Sunday.
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PAST COVERAGE
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Future of Aldergrove core up for debate
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MLAs agree more must be done to make life affordable in B.C.
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal parties working on multiple fronts to end hate crimes
AT YOUR SERVICE: 91原创 City ponders cannabis retail policy
AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� Most on council say parks and rec plans address future growth
AT YOUR SERVICE: School district moves forward on reconciliation efforts with Indigenous partners
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AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MPs disagree on whether 2 billion trees can be planted by 2030
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AT YOUR SERVICE: 91原创 Township should consider schools for future cooling centres
AT YOUR SERVICE: Opposition MLAs critical of NDP鈥檚 affordable housing record
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal clean energy efforts lauded by MP
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AT YOUR SERVICE: New 91原创 City council look for solutions to rising costs
AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� A few 91原创 Township council members speak to ongoing single-family home demands
AT YOUR SERVICE: Political views aside, MLAs wish residents health and safety this holiday
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree new year鈥檚 resolution must focus on inflation
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AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� Protected bike lanes on key Township roads is encouraged by council
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AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree new year鈥檚 resolution must focus on inflation
AT YOUR SERVICE: City鈥檚 residential garbage pickup remains status quo 鈥� at least for now
AT YOUR SERVICE 鈥� Protected bike lanes on key Township roads is encouraged by council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Pair of trustees agree parent engagement is critical and can grow
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