Mr. Speaker, due to our lax laws, break and enter appears to have become a booming profitable and legitimate profession in Canada. In my riding so far this year, the city of Dawson Creek alone has recorded 241 break and enters compared to 167 at this time last year.
Many residents attribute this dramatic increase to the lack of consequences for those convicted. Homeowners and businesses in Prince George—Peace River are increasingly frustrated that these thieves repeatedly ply their trade because they receive little more than a slap on the wrist when they are caught.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act, our weak and abused parole system, and conditional sentencing provisions actually ensure that these criminals have no respect for our laws, authority or other citizens' safety and property.
My colleague in the B.C. legislature, Blair Lekstrom, the MLA for Peace River South, and I are calling on both levels of government to strengthen legislation and enforcement to send a message to criminals that they will be held accountable for their crimes.