The Liberals say a justice system that unfairly targets indigenous peoples and black and marginalized communities is not effective, it does not keep us safe and must be changed..In a debate at the House of Commons on Friday, Liberal MP Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough—Rouge Park) says the Liberal government is committed to criminal justice system reform in Canada and ridding of the failed Conservative government policies. ."Those who commit serious offences will continue to receive serious sentences," Anandasangaree said. This is about criminal justice policy that actually keeps our communities safe.".The Liberals say Bill C-5, "An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act" is proposed legislation that represents part of the Government’s broader efforts to root out systemic racism throughout Canadian society and foster a safer and fairer future for all Canadians..Bill C-5, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act would reform sentencing measures for certain offences, including by repealing some of the mandatory minimum penalties of imprisonment (MMPs) that contribute to higher rates of imprisonment and disproportionately affect, in particular, indigenous peoples and black Canadians..The Liberals say this would ensure judges are better equipped to impose appropriate sentences. The legislation also increases the availability of conditional sentence orders (CSOs) where appropriate..Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles) says the prime minister is is "playing a dangerous game." Paul-Hus says the PM is calling anyone who disagrees with his reckless policies (Bill C-5) a racist.."He should know even some of his most loyal MPs have had enough with that cop-out, because it is getting harder and harder for them to explain it to their constituents," Paul-Hus told the House.."He calls us racist because we know how bad Bill C‑5 is. If passed, it would reduce the number of prisoners in federal penitentiaries by leaving dangerous offenders in our communities. Am I to assume the prime minister also thinks Laval police chief Pierre Brochet is racist?".Liberal MP Anandasangaree quickly responded, saying, "I want to be very clear: those who commit serious offences will continue to receive serious sentences."."Our bill is about getting rid of the failed policies of the Conservative government which have filled our prisons with low-risk first-time offenders who needed help, not to be put in jail. These failed policies did not deter crime and did not keep us safe. They target vulnerable and racialized Canadians.".The Conservatives, however, enforced the point to parliament that "when the PM calls (someone) racist for opposing this dangerous law, he does not realize that, by the same token, he is accusing members of his own caucus of the same thing." "Bill C-5 is nothing more than a public relations exercise that seeks to reduce incarceration statistics by letting violent criminals go free when they should be behind bars," Paul-Hus said. "Since the PM likes to brag about having Canadians' support, is he aware that Stéphane Wall from the Communauté des citoyens en action contre les criminels violents said, and I quote: 'There is absolutely a dichotomy between Bill C‑5 and the social context of gun violence'?" "Anie Samson is a former city councillor and member of the City of Montreal's executive committee who was responsible for public safety. She said, and I quote: 'what does Bill C‑5 do to protect our young people and deter them from taking this path?' It does absolutely nothing to deter them, in fact. Abolishing certain MMPs simply exacerbates impunity for these kinds of acts." Paul-Hus then proceeded to ask the Speaker of the House would the PM have us believe that the Laval police chief, the Communauté des citoyens en action contre les criminels violents and Anie Samson are all racist?.The Liberal MP replied by saying, "a justice system that targets indigenous peoples, the black community and marginalized individuals is not fair, does not keep us safe and needs to be changed."."I invite the member opposite to listen to the testimony of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and the South Asian Bar Association, as well as many legal experts who have come forward in support of this bill."
