Bill C-313

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to increase the burden that an accused must satisfy, in certain exceptional circumstances, to establish that their detention in custody is not justified.

Public Safety

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight long years of the Liberal government's catch-and-release policy, Canadians feel unsafe. Police are tired of arresting the same people day after day, week after week and month after month. The justice minister has an army of lawyers and an army of bureaucrats. Despite those resources, we have seen nothing on bail.

However, we as Conservatives have listened to the police, to the victims and to Canadians. I put forth Bill C-313 within a matter of weeks with no army of lawyers and no army of bureaucrats, but with just a Conservative team that is willing to act.

Premiers, police and Canadians asked for change. Crickets is what we heard. How many Canadians need to be victimized? How many police officers need to die? It is time for the lethargic Liberal government to get out of the way so we can clean up its mess on bail.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Minister, here's the problem. Constable Pierzchala was killed on December 27. Before that, for months in the House of Commons, it was raised day after day that catch and release wasn't working. Then you come to the committee today and say that you're working on this.

I put together Bill C-313 in about two weeks after that. You have an army of lawyers behind you and policy advisers, yet you still haven't acted. I find that disheartening.

When it comes to Bill C-313, Minister, I know that you said you were prepared to work with me. Just for the record, I haven't received my invitation. Are you prepared to provide an invitation to opposition parties to work with you on this point?

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you, Commissioner, and I believe everybody on this committee sends their condolences on the loss of your fallen officer. It's people like you and people like him and all of you who keep us safe, so thank you.

Commissioner, I recently tabled Bill C-313. Have you had a chance to review that bill?

Justice

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Madam Speaker, after eight years of Liberals dragging their feet and not acting on bail reform, we find ourselves here, where bail is broken.

Premiers want change. Canadians want change. Police want change.

The government prefers to talk rather than act. Yesterday, I and my Conservative colleagues took the first step in a very long journey on bail in tabling Bill C-313. Will the government pass this legislation or get out of the way so that we can reform bail?

Criminal Code

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-313, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody).

Mr. Speaker, as every day, it is an honour to rise in the House today on behalf of the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo and Canadians at large. It is a further honour to be here to table my fourth private member's bill in the House.

This bill aims to address a serious problem when it comes to bail reform. It addresses people who are alleged to have possessed a firearm, while prohibited by the Criminal Code, during a serious gun offence. They would have a steeper hill to climb when it comes to bail if this bill is passed.

I urge Parliament to pass this bill expeditiously.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)