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By Jonathan Fon

As Canada’s federal election campaign enters its second week, the rhetoric is

heating up—though not as intensely as some might have expected. In recent

days, several Liberal candidates have spoken out in defense of the party’s justice

reforms, particularly Bills C-5 and C-75. Among them are Brendan Hanley (Yukon),

Élisabeth Brière (Sherbrooke), Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches–East York), and

Taleeb Noormohamed (Vancouver Granville), who have all praised these

legislative efforts as progressive victories.

But the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Bills C-5 and C-75, passed under the Liberal government, have drawn sharp

criticism for what opponents say is their role in fostering a climate of rising crime

and weakened law enforcement. These critics argue the bills, far from improving

public safety, have contributed to the erosion of peace in Canadian communities

and emboldened criminal behavior.

C-5: A Shift Away from Jail Time

Bill C-5 received Royal Assent on November 17, 2022. Its key provisions include

the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for a range of offenses,

including drug trafficking, drug possession, illegal firearm possession, and

weapons smuggling. The bill allows judges to impose lighter sentences, especially

for first-time offenders and non-violent crimes. It also expands the use of

conditional sentencing—where offenders serve their sentences in the community

instead of jail.

C-5 encourages prosecutors to divert simple drug possession cases out of the

criminal justice system, focusing instead on a public health approach to drug

addiction. While advocates describe this as a compassionate strategy, critics

argue it undermines deterrence and weakens the authority of law enforcement

agencies.

C-75: Bail Reform Gone Too Far?

Bill C-75, which began taking effect in phases after receiving Royal Assent in June

2019, centers on bail reform. Its guiding principle: reduce pretrial detention and

ease bail conditions. Police and prosecutors now face a higher burden of proof

before detaining suspects. As a result, more accused individuals are released

quickly—sometimes on the very day they are arrested.

Opponents warn this has led to repeat offenses and tragedies. In 2022 alone, 256

Canadians were reportedly killed by individuals who had been released on bail or

through alternative measures.

A Troubling Crime Trend

National statistics over the past decade paint a worrying picture:

Violent crime: up 50%

Gun crime: up 116%

Homicides: up 28%

Sexual assaults: up 75%

Hate crimes: up 250%

Over 49,000 opioid-related deaths

If numbers don’t capture the scale of the problem, the headlines might. In the

Greater Toronto Area, broad daylight robberies have become alarmingly routine.

During the 2024 holiday season, Markham’s CF Markville Mall was hit by a string

of brazen robberies. On December 4, masked thieves stormed Luk Fook Jewellery

just after noon, smashing display cases and stealing everything in sight. It was the

store’s second robbery that year, and the third since 2018. Just a day earlier,

another jewellery store in the same mall, Jewellery Forever, was robbed. On

December 2, People’s Jewellers at Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill was also

targeted.

Residential areas have not been spared either. Car thefts from driveways, home

invasions, and burglaries are now regular concerns in once-quiet neighborhoods.

Liberal Defenders or Enablers?

Despite the public concern, Liberal candidates continue to champion Bills C-5 and

C-75 as reform successes. But as break-ins, robberies, and violent crimes continue

to rise, critics say it's time for a reckoning.

These legislative experiments, they argue, have backfired—turning the justice

system into a revolving door and stripping law enforcement of its bite. The Liberal

Party’s legacy on public safety is now under scrutiny. For many, the message is

clear: enough is enough.

It’s time to hold policymakers accountable.

April 4, 2025, Toronto, Ontario

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