A Decade of Decline: How a Liberal Government Has Failed Canadian Public Safety
By Jonathan Fon
April 5, 2025 | Toronto, Ontario
Over the past decade, Canada has continued to rank among the world's most livable countries.
Yet behind this reputation lies a troubling reality—one marked by deteriorating public safety
and a sharp rise in crime. These challenges are symptomatic of what critics call a failed decade
under Liberal federal leadership.
In the Greater Toronto Area, Markville Shopping Centre in Markham has long been a weekend
destination for the Chinese community. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and inviting retail
spaces, it has offered a haven for shoppers and casual visitors alike. But in recent years, that
sense of safety has eroded.
In broad daylight, criminal activity has grown increasingly brazen. A high-profile robbery
occurred just after noon on December 4, 2024, when several masked assailants stormed Luk
Fook Jewelry at Markville, smashing display cases and making off with the store’s inventory. It
was the second time the store was targeted that year, with a previous incident in April. Luk
Fook was also robbed in 2018, making it three such attacks in six years—each in full public view.
Worse still, this was not an isolated event. The day before, on December 3, another jewellery
store—Jewellery Forevery—was robbed in the same shopping centre. And on December 2, a
third store, People’s Jewellers at Hillcrest Mall near Yonge Street and 16th Avenue, was
similarly targeted. These consecutive incidents paint a grim picture of lawlessness creeping into
everyday life.
The threat isn’t limited to commercial centres. Residential crime has spiked, with car thefts and
home break-ins becoming increasingly common. Vehicles are being stolen from driveways in
plain sight. Homeowners report break-ins where properties are ransacked with impunity.
How did it come to this?
Critics point to legislation passed under the Liberal government—specifically Bills C-75 (enacted
in 2019) and C-5 (passed in 2022)—as key contributors to Canada’s public safety crisis. These
laws, they argue, have weakened the justice system by prioritizing bail and sentence reductions
over deterrence and accountability.
The principle of “catch and release” now dominates law enforcement practices. In many cases,
individuals charged with violent crimes are released on bail the same day, only to reoffend
shortly after. In 2022 alone, 256 Canadians were killed by offenders who had been previously
released on bail or through early-release mechanisms.
Statistics gathered over the past ten years reveal an alarming trend:
Violent crime is up by 50%
Gun-related crime has increased by 116%
Homicides have risen by 28%
Sexual assault cases are up 75%
Hate crimes have surged by 250%
49,000 Canadians have died from opioid overdoses
This wave of violence and disorder, opponents say, is the direct result of the Liberal
government's legislative agenda, which has made it easier for repeat and violent offenders to
avoid meaningful incarceration.
With federal elections approaching, the Conservative Party is positioning itself as the party of
law and order. Their platform promises to repeal lenient policies and replace them with
tougher measures targeting repeat offenders. Under a Conservative government, bail would be
restricted for serious and habitual criminals, and sentencing for violent crimes would be
restored to reflect the gravity of the offense. The party also pledges to end taxpayer-funded
drug decriminalization initiatives and to bolster border security to crack down on illegal gun
smuggling.
Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party argue that only common-sense policies can restore
safety and dignity to Canadian communities—where hard-working families can afford food,
housing, and live in peace.