This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.
David Lametti Liberal
This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment amends the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to, among other things, repeal certain mandatory minimum penalties, allow for a greater use of conditional sentences and establish diversion measures for simple drug possession offences.
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-5s:
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-5 aims to address systemic racism in the justice system and reduce recidivism by amending the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It proposes repealing certain mandatory minimum penalties, allowing for greater use of conditional sentences, and encouraging diversion measures for simple drug possession offenses. The bill seeks to promote fairer sentencing outcomes, especially for Indigenous, Black, and marginalized communities, while maintaining public safety by holding offenders accountable for serious crimes.
Liberal
Conservative
NDP
Bloc
Iqwinder Gaheer Liberal Mississauga—Malton, ON
Mr. Speaker, this bill and this government have consistently been painted by the Conservatives as being soft on crime. I would like to ask my hon. colleague whether all mandatory minimums are being repealed or only a subset. If it is a subset, why that subset?
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, what we have here is an opportunity to remove the mandatory minimums that have been set out in the bill because we see a greater good in helping rehabilitate individuals so they can become productive members of society again.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am continually being heckled by the other side, but what is really at the core of this is that Conservative desire to play off emotions, hype things up and manufacture outrage.
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the member's speech, he acknowledged and actually waxed eloquent on the member for Humber River—Black Creek's ability to reflect and look back on decisions made.
I want to provide this member with the opportunity to correct the record when he stated that the former Conservative government made the decision not to act on the truth and reconciliation report, given that interim report was tabled in May and the final report was only tabled in December of 2015. In between the two there was an election and a different government.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, if that was the case then I certainly would. From my recollection of the events at that time, the Conservatives were very reluctant to suggest that they wanted to move forward with any of the recommendations.
I have no problem. If the member is correct, then I send my deepest apologies to the Conservatives whom I offended in making that comment.
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Mr. Speaker, to my hon. colleague across the way, I know for a fact that in June of last year, in the last Parliament, I saw my private member's bill, Bill C-228, go through and become law. The purpose of that bill was to work effectively between non-profit, faith-based and government organizations, both provincial governments and the federal government, to establish a federal framework for the reduction of recidivism through effective partnerships.
I was thankful to largely have all-party support in the House, and I know it unanimously passed through the Senate. It is now law. We still have not got a report back from the Minister of Public Safety, which is due back this month. This is a proactive step that we could take to make sure that we stop the revolving door in our prison system.
I would love to hear what the member's thoughts are on that.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, it sounds like I voted in favour of it in the last Parliament, so it must have been a great bill. I congratulate the member.
Criminal CodeGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
It being 5:15 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 9, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the third reading stage of the bill now before the House.
The question is on the amendment.
If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the amendment be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for a recorded division.
Criminal CodeGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 15, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at 5:30 so we can start Private Members' Business.
Criminal CodeGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will pleased say nay.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
It being 5:30, the House will now proceed to the consideration of Private Members' Business as listed on today's Order Paper.
The House resumed from June 14 consideration of the motion that Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, be read the third time and passed.
Criminal CodeGovernment Orders
The Speaker Anthony Rota
Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the motion at third reading of Bill C-5.
The question is on the amendment. May I dispense?