Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to present a petition on behalf of constituents. I rise for the 56th time on behalf of the people of Swan River, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime. The community of Swan River is struggling with the rising rate of crime in its area. Statistics Canada reports that, after nine years of the Liberal government, violent crime has risen by 50% and gang-related homicides have nearly doubled.
Within the last five years, the crime severity index in Swan River has increased by over 50%. According to the RCMP, four individuals in Swan River alone were responsible for 309 total offences, 53 of which were violent offences, over the course of 18 months. This is why the people of Swan River are demanding jail, not bail, for violent repeat offenders.
The people of Swan River demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies that directly threaten their livelihoods and their community. I support the good people of Swan River.