Ottawa: More than half of all firearms homicides in Canada are gang-related. Gang violence is making our previously safe streets more and more dangerous, and many Canadians are worried about their safety.
Justin Trudeau has failed to address gang violence and has instead softened Canada’s approach, reducing penalties for gang crime to as little as an administrative fine. This failure has consequences. It puts Canadians at risk by letting gang criminals remain on our streets.
On November 8, Andrew Scheer released the first of three policy pillars in his plan for A Safer Canada – Cracking Down on Gangs. Andrew Scheer and the Conservatives believe that these actions will to make it easier for police to target gang members and put them behind bars where they belong. This will put an end to the revolving door prison system that lets too many dangerous criminals back out onto the streets where they can hurt innocent people.
Plan consists of the following proposals:
- Ending automatic bail for gang members
Right now, even the most notorious gang members are entitled to bail. That means dangerous criminals who are known to police often go right back out on the streets. This is a dangerous risk to our communities and wastes valuable police resources. A Conservative government under Andrew Scheer will change that and make sure that arrested repeat gang offenders will be held without bail.
- Identifying gangs in the Criminal Code
Every time prosecutors go after gang members, they must first prove to the court that their gangs are criminal organizations. This includes well-known gangs like MS-13 and the Hells Angels. This makes no sense and is another huge waste of resources. A Conservative government under Andrew Scheer will create and maintain a list of proven criminal organizations which will help law enforcement prosecute gang members faster.
- Revoking parole for gang members
Parole is a privilege, not a right. Currently, paroled offenders are required to abstain from drugs and alcohol and promise to keep the peace. A Conservative government under Andrew Scheer will also require those on parole to cut ties with gangs. Statistics show offenders are more likely to re-offend on parole if they’re in a gang. If you’re associating with gangs while on parole, you go back to jail.
- Tougher sentences for ordering gang crime
Right now, gang leaders who order others to commit crimes can receive very short sentences in prisons, often served alongside other gang members. A Conservative government under Andrew Scheer will bring in mandatory sentences in federal prison for directing gang crime, sending a strong message to gang members that they belong behind bars.
- New sentences for violent gang crime
Gang-related murders, assaults, robberies and other violent acts are steadily on the rise and pose the biggest threat to Canadians’ safety. A Conservative government under Andrew Scheer will create new offences for committing and ordering violent gang crime and attach mandatory sentences in federal prison for each.
