OTTAWA, Ontario โ Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman is calling on the federal government to reverse what she describes as “soft on crime” justice policies after new crime statistics showed significant increases in violent crime, firearm offenses, vehicle thefts, extortion, and hate crimes across Peel Region.
In a statement released from Ottawa, Lantsman argued that communities in Brampton and Mississauga have experienced a marked deterioration in public safety over the past decade and said federal criminal justice reforms have contributed to repeat violent offenders returning to the streets.
The statement follows the release of new Statistics Canada data that, according to the Conservatives, shows violent crime in Peel Region has more than doubled since 2015.
Lantsman said the figures demonstrate the need for substantial changes to Canada’s bail system and sentencing policies.
Sharp Increases in Crime
According to the Conservative statement, Statistics Canada data indicates that violent crime in Peel Region has increased by more than 100 percent since 2015.
The party also cited substantial increases in several specific criminal offenses during the same period.
Extortion incidents have reportedly risen by nearly 500 percent.
Motor vehicle thefts have increased by 189 percent.
Reported sexual assaults have increased by approximately 79 percent.
Lantsman argued that these trends have fundamentally changed communities that were once viewed as among the safest places in Canada to raise families and operate businesses.
“Communities where Canadians once felt safe raising a family, taking their kids to school, or starting a business have become unrecognizable,” she said.
Rise in Gun Violence
The Conservatives also highlighted firearm-related crime throughout Peel Region.
According to the statement, Brampton and Mississauga recorded 103 shootings during the first six months of the year, compared with 58 shootings during the same period one year earlier.
The party further stated that firearm-related crime has increased by approximately 830 percent across the region since 2015.
Lantsman criticized the Liberal government’s firearms policies, arguing that they focus primarily on licensed firearm owners while failing to prevent the use of illegally smuggled weapons.
“While the Liberals continue targeting law-abiding firearm owners, illegal gun crime remains rampant on our streets,” she said.
The statement also cited comments from Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, who has said it is not uncommon for officers to recover multiple illegal firearms during a single weekend, with many originating in the United States.
Criticism of Federal Justice Reforms
A central focus of the Conservative statement was the federal government’s criminal justice legislation.
Lantsman specifically criticized Bill C-75, Bill C-5, and what she described as the Liberal government’s “Principle of Restraint,” arguing that these measures have made it easier for repeat offenders to obtain bail.
She said the legislation has weakened public confidence in Canada’s justice system.
“Meanwhile, Liberal soft-on-crime legislation such as Bill C-75, Bill C-5 and their so-called ‘Principle of Restraint’ have made it easier for repeat offenders to get easy bail and terrorize once safe neighborhoods,” she said.
The Liberal government has previously stated that reforms to Canada’s bail and sentencing framework seek to balance public safety with constitutional rights while reducing unnecessary incarceration for non-violent offenders.
Concerns About Hate Crimes
The Conservative statement also addressed the rise in hate-motivated crime across Canada.
Lantsman cited national figures indicating that hate crimes have increased by approximately 245 percent since 2015, while antisemitic hate crimes have risen by 342 percent over the same period.
She argued that Jewish communities have experienced a growing number of attacks directed at businesses, schools, places of worship, and community institutions.
The statement referenced the recent shootings targeting locations of Kiva’s Bagel Bar, a Jewish-owned business in Toronto, as an example of the threats facing Jewish Canadians.
Lantsman also criticized the federal government for failing to provide detailed information regarding enforcement efforts against individuals associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following its designation as a terrorist entity.
Public Safety and National Security
The Conservatives argued that organized crime, gun violence, drug trafficking, and politically motivated violence have become increasingly interconnected.
According to the statement, Canadians expect stronger enforcement measures and greater accountability regarding terrorist organizations operating or supporting activities within Canada.
Lantsman said communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area have experienced attacks on schools, community centres, places of worship, and local businesses.
She argued that restoring confidence in public safety requires stronger criminal penalties and more effective enforcement.
“In the last decade of this Liberal government, Canada has become a place where repeat violent offenders are released back onto our streets, where hate crimes have become normalized, and where drug trafficking, extortion and gun violence run rampant,” she said.
Conservatives Outline Policy Direction
Lantsman concluded by outlining the Conservative Party’s proposed approach to criminal justice should it form government.
The party says it would seek to reverse what it characterizes as ineffective criminal justice reforms, strengthen Canada’s bail system, and ensure repeat violent offenders face tougher consequences.
“Enough is enough,” Lantsman said.
“Conservatives will fight for a Canada that is safe and secure by reversing reckless soft-on-crime legislation, scrapping Liberal bail and the ‘Principle of Restraint,’ and ensuring criminals face real consequences for their actions so that we can restore safe streets.”
The Liberal government has consistently maintained that public safety remains a priority while defending its broader criminal justice reforms as measures designed to create a fairer and more balanced justice system.
