Conservative and Liberal Members of Parliament clashed Thursday in the House of Commons over proposed reforms to Canada's bail system. The debate comes as the Official Opposition focuses on crime during the fall session.

The Conservatives introduced a private member's bill advocating for a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" law. This legislation aims to prevent individuals convicted of serious offenses from receiving bail, probation, parole, or house arrest. The move precedes anticipated Liberal legislation intended to tighten bail provisions. Justice Minister Sean Fraser has confirmed that criminal justice legislation will be presented this fall.

The Conservative proposal seeks to keep violent offenders incarcerated for a minimum of 10 years after three convictions. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed concerns about public safety, stating, "Increasingly people feel endangered in their own communities." He highlighted several instances of severe crimes committed by individuals who were released on bail.

Poilievre criticized the Liberal government's approach, saying, "Under the catch-and-release Liberal justice system, all of this happened as a direct result of Liberal laws that turn criminals loose on our streets so that they can offend, and offend and re-offend with no consequences."

The discussion also focused on the 2019 Liberal crime bill C-75, particularly its "principle of restraint," which favors release over detention and mandates reasonable bail conditions. Recently, various premiers and mayors have urged the government to reform bail legislation. Poilievre noted that police officers are frustrated by the repeated arrests of the same individuals.

Conservative public safety critic Frank Caputo announced that the proposed bill would create a new Criminal Code offense for assaulting an intimate partner. In response, Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux assured that the government would introduce its own bail legislation this fall. He claimed that Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a "solemn pledge" to pursue bail reform, suggesting that the Conservatives' focus on crime is driven by fundraising motives, labeling it a "cash cow."

Liberal MP Kody Blois emphasized the government's commitment to bail reform, stating, "Our government is going to be introducing stricter bail conditions." He added that the government plans to implement stronger sentencing for violent, repeat offenders. Blois also noted that the Liberal approach includes supporting provincial governments to ensure adequate court resources. He argued that the crime statistics cited by the Conservatives need to be contextualized, pointing to a downward trend in violent crime in the Greater Toronto Area.