OTTAWA — The Conservative Party plans to introduce a private members’ bill aimed at addressing what they describe as a failure of the Liberal government to manage rising crime rates. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made the announcement during a press conference in Woodbridge on Thursday, where he highlighted alarming statistics about violent crime in Canada.

"Crime is raging out of control," Poilievre stated, referencing testimonies from individuals who shared their experiences with crime. He criticized Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, for downplaying the situation, saying, "Has he talked to these victims?" Poilievre argued that the concerns of Canadians are valid and not merely sensationalism.

Recent data shows a 55% increase in violent crime, a 130% rise in firearms-related offenses, and a staggering 330% increase in extortion cases. Poilievre emphasized, "This is not sensationalism, this is data and facts." He noted that many Canadians express significant concern for their personal safety, with a majority feeling uneasy about living in Canada due to the current crime climate.

The proposed bill, to be introduced by Oxford MP Arpan Khanna, aims to prioritize the safety of law-abiding citizens over criminals. Khanna remarked, "Every morning we wake up, we hear terrifying news headlines — broad daylight shootings, extortion, violent home invasions, carjackings have now sadly become the norm in our country." He attributed these issues to what he described as the Liberal government's lenient policies over the past decade.

During the press conference, Khanna shared that the owner of the venue had invested $100,000 in security upgrades, including bulletproof windows and advanced alarm systems. He pointed out that before the Liberal government, homes in some areas of Canada could be purchased for under $100,000, but now that amount is needed just for security enhancements.

As crime rates surged over the summer, Poilievre called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to take action against what he termed "Liberal bail laws" that he believes are contributing to community unrest. "Mark Carney, it is time for you to do the right thing and reverse Liberal bail laws that are unleashing terror in our communities," he said. "And if you won’t do it, we will."