Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney clashed in the House of Commons this week over Canada’s bail system, with Poilievre demanding the government “scrap Liberal bail” and Carney promising new legislation within weeks.
Poilievre accused the government of failing to keep repeat offenders off the streets by pointing to recent cases, including the killing of a woman in Saint-Jérôme, Que., allegedly by her partner, who had been arrested 30 times, and the death of Const. Greg Pella, who was shot by a man released on bail.
“Crime victims don’t want the prime minister’s sympathy,” Poilievre said. “They want to know why he’s broken his promise, why Liberal bail remains in place, and why the same repeat offenders are allowed to reoffend again and again.”
Carney rejected the Conservative leader’s charge that his government is dragging its feet, saying a comprehensive bail reform package is set to be introduced shortly. He argued that the proposed reforms are rooted in evidence and consultations with provinces, territories, and law enforcement.
“This government is bringing forward the toughest bail legislation and sentencing reforms in decades,” Carney told MPs. “They will be tough on crime and consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
The debate highlighted growing political pressure around bail reform, an issue that has gained urgency in recent years as police associations and premiers across Canada have called for stricter rules to address repeat violent offenders.
Poilievre repeatedly pressed Carney to act immediately, citing figures he said showed 1,600 crimes are committed daily by individuals released under existing bail provisions. He accused the government of “screaming, hollering, and jabbing its finger” at police instead of acting.
“Every day violent repeat offenders are released on our streets, massacring our people,” Poilievre said. “Canadians cannot afford to wait anymore. When will he scrap Liberal bail?”
Carney countered by noting his government has only been in power for six months and is already moving to overhaul the system. He accused Poilievre of misrepresenting the government’s record and reminded the House that earlier bail reforms were passed with cross-party support.
“What Canadians deserve are bail reforms and sentencing laws that work, not slogans and cut-and-paste American policies,” Carney said. “We invite the opposition to join us in the swift passage of this legislation.”
The legislation is expected to be tabled before the end of the fall sitting. Its contents remain under wraps, though Carney pledged it will address violent repeat offenders while respecting Charter rights.