Bill C-411

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (arson — wildfires and places of worship)

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to create an offence for causing a wildfire and an offence for causing damage by fire or explosion to a place of worship. It also requires a court to consider as aggravating circumstances, in the context of arson by negligence, the fact that it resulted in a wildfire or the destruction of a place of worship.

Public Safety

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberals, crime is up and churches are being targeted. A Winnipeg neighbourhood saw a 61% increase in crime. Churches are having to pay thousands of dollars for repairs and security. One church had to put up an eight-foot barbed wire fence to keep criminals out. A woman was victim to an armed carjacking while leaving church, and two people died last month after a church was set on fire. In fact, 30 churches have been burned to the ground over the past few years, and countless more have been vandalized in Canada.

When will the Liberals stop blocking the Conservative bill, Bill C-411, which would specifically hold arsonists accountable for church burnings?

Arson

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an Ethiopian couple who tragically lost their lives in an arson attack at the House of Covenant International Church in Winnipeg last month.

Geda and Zenabu recently came to Canada with hope but instead were met with horror. They were living above their church, which provides affordable housing for newcomers. In the middle of the night, a heinous act of arson consumed the church, and the couple trapped above were killed.

This is not an isolated incident. The government recently revealed that nearly 600 places of worship have been burned. Canada needs to protect places of worship from arson.

I have introduced Bill C-411, the anti-arson act, to address attacks against our churches, mosques, gurdwaras, synagogues and mandirs.

I extend my sincerest condolences to the family of the victims and members of the Ethiopian Society of Winnipeg, who continue to grieve at this time.