Ottawa, ON – Larry Brock, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice, released the following statement on the crime wave sweeping our nation:
“After a decade of Liberal catch-and-release and easy bail, crime has been allowed to run rampant in our streets. Since they took power, violent crime has increased almost 55 per cent, sexual assault jumped 76 per cent, firearm crime has soared over 130 per cent and extortion skyrocketed 330 per cent.
“Mark Carney promised change, but story after story has confirmed that, for far too many victims, nothing has. In Alberta, a 50-year-old man charged with multiple cases of sexual assault, exploitation and trafficking of underage girls – including as young as 14 – was re-arrested by the Lethbridge Police just half an hour after being granted bail. The police had found him in “very close proximity” to another young female.
“In another bloodcurdling case out of Nova Scotia, the man who raped and murdered a 12-year-old girl by cutting off her head had his day parole extended by the Parole Board of Canada last month. His release into the community prompted the Halifax Police to warn that he was a ‘high-risk offender.’ They noted his extensive criminal record, including the prior rape of an Indigenous girl, breaking and entering, theft of motor vehicles and prison beach.
“This Monday, Toronto resident Thomas Phippard was charged with uttering threats and three counts of extortion in an attempt to intimidate victims into paying often exaggerated amounts of cash. Yesterday saw another Surrey business become the victim of extortion-related violence as shots were fired at their building. Local police say Surrey has seen sixteen reported extortion attempts so far this calendar year.
“Canadians are desperate for real changes that will make their lives safer and their communities more secure. But despite a lot of talk, not one letter, comma, or period has changed in the Criminal Code in the ten months Mark Carney has been in charge. The Liberals have even blocked discussion of their own Justice bill to focus on their divisive attack on religious freedoms.
“Conservatives will always prioritize the safety and well-being of our people. That’s why we’ve proposed a real plan to curtail extortion, crack down on intimate partner violence and bring jail – not bail – for repeat violent offenders. We are working every day to restore safe streets once again.”