UPDATED: WATCH — Poilievre pledges to reinstate consecutive sentences for mass murderers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says a new Conservative government will restore consecutive prison sentences for Canada’s mass murderers. 

Poilievre says these offenders should never receive “sentence discounts” for taking multiple lives.

Speaking to reporters in Montreal on Monday, Poilievre announced he will bring back the Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act. 

The law was previously struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2022 because, in the Court’s view, it imposed penalties that were too harsh on mass murderers. 

"Every life matters. And someone who takes multiple lives should be held accountable for each one," said Poilievre.

Poilievre pledged to use the notwithstanding clause, also known as Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to reinstate the legislation.

"For the worst mass murderers, a life sentence should mean what it says: a sentence for life,” said Poilievre. 

“These monsters should face the full consequences of their actions. Every life matters, and a killer who takes multiple lives should be held to account for each one. There should be no discounts for multiple murders.”

The Supreme Court’s decision has already shortened parole ineligibility periods for some of Canada’s most infamous killers. 

Among them is Alexandre Bissonnette, who carried out the 2017 Quebec mosque shooting that left six people dead. 

Originally sentenced to life with no parole for 40 years, Bissonnette will now be eligible 15 years sooner because of the ruling.

A similar reduction applied to Justin Bourque, found guilty in the 2014 shooting deaths of three RCMP officers in Moncton. 

Despite a judge setting his parole ineligibility at 75 years, Bourque’s ineligibility was reduced to 25 years, meaning he could walk free around his fiftieth birthday.

Poilievre slammed the Supreme Court’s ruling and called the Court’s perspective “out of touch” with Canadians expectations for punishing the worst criminals.

The Conservative leader also criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government for failing to act during the past three years. 

Poilievre said victims’ families deserve more from their elected officials and that allowing early parole opportunities shows “where the Liberals’ priorities lie.”

“A new Conservative government will use its constitutional powers under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to bring justice back to the criminal justice system and end discounts for multiple murders,” said Poilievre.

The promise to protect the public and uphold tougher sentences is part of Poilievre’s broader platform, which he described as “Canada First—For a Change.” 

He argued Canadians cannot risk another Liberal term that, in his view, lets the nation’s most dangerous killers off easy.

Poilievre’s vow to use the notwithstanding clause signals a direct challenge to the Supreme Court’s authority, foreshadowing a constitutional debate. 

However, Poilievre maintains it is the right move to ensure “true justice” for grieving families and communities affected by mass murders.