Tory Deputy Leader Requests Emergency Debate on Rising Violent Crime Rates

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 19, 2022. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Conservative MP and deputy leader Melissa Lantsman requested an emergency debate in the House of Commons on Jan. 30 to address what she called the “unprecedented levels of violent crime across Canada,” particularly on Toronto’s public transit systems.

Lantsman sent a letter to House speaker Anthony Rota requesting the debate prior to rising in the Commons during its routine proceedings following question period.

“Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office violent crime has increased 32% and gang related homicides are up 92%,” Lantsman wrote in the letter. “The violent attacks plaguing the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) highlight the urgency to address this matter.”

Lantsman’s debate request came four days after the Toronto Police Service increased its presence on the TTC by upwards of an additional 80 police officers daily in order to address the recent spike in violence targeting TTC passengers and employees.

“In just seven days, seven separate reports of violence on the TTC including random stabbings and shootings, have been filed,” Lantsman wrote. “Millions of people use public transit daily in Toronto.”

Lantsman said later in the House that the rise in violent crime “is a direct result of the federal government’s catch-and-release version of public safety,” referring to a law the Liberal government passed in 2019 updating federal bail provisions in the Criminal Code.

“I believe an emergency debate is necessary to provide justice to the victims of these attacks and to ensure that every Canadian feels safe to go out in public and ride public transit. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We have to act now,” she said.

However, Rota declined, saying he was not satisfied that Lantsman’s debate request met the Standing Orders requirements at the time.

Crime and Bail

In mid-January, all 13 of Canada’s premiers unanimously urged the federal government to take “immediate action” to strengthen the Canada’s bail system.

The premiers wrote in a letter originating from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office that national bail reform is urgent, adding that the country’s first responders “cannot wait.”

Growing calls for federal bail reform followed the death of a 28-year-old Ontario police officer, Const. Greg Pierzchala, who was shot while on duty in late December 2022.

Reports of violent incidents on Toronto’s transit system, including several stabbings, have also been increasing in recent weeks.

“The justice system fundamentally needs to keep anyone who poses a threat to public safety off the streets,” said the premiers’ letter. “And this starts with meaningful changes to the Criminal Code, an area solely within the federal government’s jurisdiction.”

Andrew Chen and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.