Debates of May 23rd, 2024

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, what I can note is that the Canada Border Services Agency needs these investments to resolve the auto theft situation. With an investment of $28 million—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, how many maximum sentences will the minister be able to hand out to car thieves in order to reduce the number of auto thefts in the coming years?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I have another figure for the member opposite. Since our investments in Ontario and Quebec, we have announced the recovery of more than 600 stolen vehicles this year.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, does the minister honestly believe that simply recovering stolen cars and not arresting the criminals will stop auto theft?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I believe that with tougher prison sentences and changes to the bail system, we are going to eliminate or limit the—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, the measure is completely useless because there has never been a case where a criminal was arrested and received a maximum sentence for car theft. How can the minister try to make people believe that his proposal will change anything about auto theft?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, it is rather strange because the position of the party opposite is to impose more penalties. We are targeting organized crime and violent crime. That is what we will continue to do.

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

Madam Chair, when was the last time the minister visited bail court?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Madam Chair, I am seized with the fact that bail court has been an issue with respect to the need for reform—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Same question. When was the last time you went to bail court?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member has to address questions and comments through the Chair, not directly to the minister.

The hon. minister.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I visit courthouses regularly in my functions as minister.

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

Madam Chair, during those visits to the courthouses, when was the last time the minister spent the day in bail court?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, the important thing for me as minister is ensure that bail reform is being undertaken. That is—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

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

Madam Chair, how about he just confirms that the answer is zero?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, the member opposite is clearly not listening. I indicated that I go to courthouses around the country.

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

Madam Chair, how far is the closest courthouse to Parliament Hill?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, the important piece about bail is ensuring that we are making bail changes to ensure that serious violent repeat offenders—

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

Madam Chair, I have the same question. How far is the nearest courthouse to Parliament Hill?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I believe the nearest courthouse to Parliament Hill is the one on Elgin, opposite the Lord Elgin.

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

Madam Chair, has he attempted to visit that courthouse, which is 950 metres away, to observe bail hearings?