Carney to introduce serious new measures to combat crime in Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced new measures to combat crime in Canada.
On Thursday, the Liberal government stated it would introduce new initiatives to “protect Canadians and keep communities safe.”
“In Canada, you should be able to wake up, get in your car, drive to work, come home, and sleep soundly at night. When laws repeatedly fail to protect those basic rights, we need new laws,” stated Carney in the announcement.
“Canada’s new government is taking decisive action to combat crime and build stronger communities – where Canadians can feel secure in their homes, safe in their neighbourhoods, and in control of their future.”
As part of this pledge, the federal government will table new legislation next week to amend the Criminal Code for crimes committed by violent and repeat offenders in Canada. This includes those accused of serious crimes like violent auto theft, breaking and entering, human trafficking, violent assault, and sexual assault.
The legislation will include the following amendments:
- Introducing reverse-onus bail for major crimes
- Allowing consecutive sentencing, which means multiple crimes result in longer time behind bars
- Imposing harsher penalties for organized retail theft
- Restricting conditional sentences for a number of sexual offences
“Our government promised to strengthen bail and sentencing laws, and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” stated Minister of Justice Sean Fraser.
“As attorneys general, Public Safety ministers, and Justice ministers meet in Kananaskis, our government is working closely with provinces, territories, and law enforcement to deliver reforms that give police and prosecutors stronger tools to keep violent offenders off our streets.”
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The government also plans to hire 1,000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) personnel.
According to the announcement, Ottawa will invest $1.8 billion over four years to increase federal policing capacity to combat crime across Canada. This includes online fraud, money laundering, online child sexual exploitation, and organized criminal networks that threaten the country’s economic and national security.
The funding will also go towards raising the RCMP cadet recruitment allowance to $1,000 per week and dedicating 150 new RCMP personnel to tackle financial crimes – targeting money laundering networks, organized crime, online fraud, and the recovery of illicit assets.
Ottawa stated that it’s working with provinces, territories and local law enforcement to address the root causes of crime in Canada.
It acknowledged that enforcement alone isn’t enough, and that it needs to make major investments to build affordable housing, support those struggling with mental health and addictions, and reinforce programs for at-risk youth.