Sean Fraser

Mr. Speaker, before I answer, I would like to thank my colleague for this question. It is very important to recognize that we need to implement the new legislation that the House passed during the last parliamentary session. We have put forward a series of different laws that tackle, very specifically, crimes such as arson and violent crimes involving auto theft. We are seeing nationally the rate of crime actually coming down. We have worked very carefully with our partners, with the province and with law enforcement, and we are going to continue to do so. The only body that seems not to be collaborating in the effort to adopt stronger laws to produce safer communities is the Conservative Party of Canada. If Conservatives would like to collaborate with us—

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to admit that it was this side of the House that adopted laws that actually made stronger penalties be put in place for serious crimes. Those laws were developed in collaboration with law enforcement, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Every regional police organization not only fed into the process but endorsed the measures that we implemented after the fact. The hon. member is not correct. As a matter of fact, while he says that crime is somehow increasing, the stats show, nationally and in virtually every region of this country, that crime, including auto theft, is coming down. We are going to put forward a plan that is based on science, facts and evidence. We will incorporate the perspective of those who—

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is well aware that we introduced a bill to combat serious crime in our communities and to make the criminal justice system tougher on those who commit offences. We have not only put forward laws that are going to do more to keep violent offenders behind bars. We have also included stronger supports for participants and families when it comes to their role, when it comes to understanding the impact on those families and victims at parole hearings and transfers between different levels of security systems. We will work with victims to understand their concerns, and we will advance policies on the advice of experts and police to help keep communities safe.

Mr. Speaker, the member cannot be serious. The member had the opportunity not just to take action but even to offer his thoughts when it came to the bills that we put forward to help protect communities. What did he actually do? He voted against the measures to strengthen security in this country, and his entire caucus sought to delay the implementation of the very bills they have been calling for for years. We need some honesty in this House. We need some integrity in this House. We need words to match actions. On this side of the House, we will not only tell the story of how we are going to protect victims, but we will adopt the laws that will do so. If the Conservatives want to talk a big game on crime, the least they can do is vote for the measures to protect—

Mr. Speaker, my colleague asked a direct question: When are we going to adopt laws to get tough on car thefts? The answer is June of this past year. We developed these laws not in isolation behind closed doors but by meeting with police. They have garnered the support of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Association of Ontario. Even the cops in his own community are supporting the bail measures that we put in place. After we put these laws in place, we are starting to see statistics of crime coming down, specifically including auto thefts and home invasions in his province. He tries to block progress every step of the way. With or without his help, we will build a stronger and safer Canada.