conservative leader Pierre Poilievre Demanding a reversal from the central government Bail Bill C-75 included the policies after another police officer was killed in Ontario earlier this week.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Poilievre said the party adds its voice to “all Canadians in offering our condolences to the loved ones and family” of Const. Grzegorz Pirzchla.
Pirzchla was shot and killed in the line of duty on Tuesday after a vehicle stopped in a ditch near Hagersville, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police said Pierschala was shot and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two people — Randall McKenzie, 25, and Brandi Crystal Lynn Stewart-Sperry, 30 — have been charged with first-degree murder in Pirjachla’s death.
Ontario officer shot dead near Hagersville, Ontario. OPP Commissioner Says ‘Ambush Was Done’
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Poilievre said that Pirzchala was a “hero”.
“They put their lives on the line (and) ultimately they gave their lives for the freedom and safety of others,” he said. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our police officers who risk their lives to protect Canadians and we stand by their side in combating crime to keep our communities safe.”
Poilievre said the details of Pirzchala’s killing were “deeply disturbing”, adding that he was the fifth police officer to be killed since September.
“This is part of a 32 percent increase in violent crime that has occurred over the past seven years, with a 92 percent increase in gang-related homicides,” he said. “In this particular case, the accused was out on bail after allegedly committing similar violent crimes, including offenses with firearms and offenses against police officers.”
A Canadian Press report published on Thursday said court documents show McKenzie was initially denied bail in the previous case, and later granted it after a review in the months before Tuesday’s shooting. was done.
The report said McKenzie was denied bail in December 2021 as he awaits trial on multiple charges in Hamilton after being charged with assaulting three people, including a peace officer, earlier that month . He was also facing several weapons related charges, including carrying a handgun with a defaced serial number.
But after a review of the verdict, McKenzie was granted bail in June under strict conditions, including wearing a GPS monitor, reporting to police twice a week, living up to his sureties and not carrying any weapons.
He was ordered to leave his residence with his surety for medical emergencies, to attend meetings with his solicitor or to attend counseling recommended by a local Indigenous centre.
A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear for a court date in August, the documents said. Court documents show that he has not appeared in connection with that case since then.
Poilievre said he meets with police officers across the country who “tell me they often have to arrest the same person again on the same day.”
“Arresting a violent criminal in the morning and then releasing him on bail in the afternoon,” he said. “These easier policies to catch and release bail are found in Justin Trudeau’s Bill C75 – a bill that makes it much easier to get bail. Even in cases of repeat violent offenders and even Even in cases where the allegations against the newly arrested offender are serious and dangerous to the public.
Poilievre said his party is calling on the federal government to reverse the policies.
Again, violent offenders should remain in custody during the trial, he added.
Poilevre said, however, that this does not include “petty criminals” who “make a small mistake in their youth.”
He added that his party believes that “every Canadian has the right to be safe.”
“Our police officers need all the help they can to provide security,” he added.
In an interview with Global News on Friday, Marco Mendicino, Canada’s minister of public safety, said his thoughts were with Pierzchalla’s family, adding that “he had his whole life ahead of him, and by all measures he is a hero. “
“This has been a horrendous year for the law enforcement community,” he said. “We’ve lost too many officers.”
Mendicino said in Pirzchalla’s case, “the system didn’t work.”
“The accused was wanted for months, it should not have gotten this far”, he said, adding that the ministry is working with all levels of government and all levels of law enforcement to “examine possible improvements to our system”. Could.”
Mendicino said the government has agreed to “closely examine the laws and policies”, adding that it is an “urgent task”.
“It’s a full court press,” he said, adding Pierzchalla’s death “focuses the attention on what’s at stake.”
Mendicino said he has “the utmost respect” for law enforcement, adding that the way they “put themselves in harm’s way is inspiring.”
“This tragedy is a reminder that we have to keep moving forward with reforms,” he said. “Not only so that we can bring the perpetrators to justice, but ideally … we can prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place.”
Mendicino said that the purpose of Bill C-75 is to “off-ramp non-violent offenders so that we can put appropriate and sufficient resources and energy into prosecuting and bringing violent offenders to justice.”
He said certain provisions of the law make it more difficult for alleged offenders to obtain approval.
“For example, if you were a repeat offender of domestic or intimate partner violence, there is a strict reversionary provision on convictions,” he explained.
Mendicino said the government’s focus at present is “two-fold”.
“Supporting the family of Greg Pierzchala and the broader law enforcement community, and continuing to make the necessary investments in law enforcement so that they have the people they need, the equipment they need, the support they need Keep our communities and frontline officers safe.”
When it comes to combating gun violence, Mendicino is unhappy that the government is “investing in law enforcement” and has poured “millions of dollars into frontline law enforcement” over the past several years, but said that guns More needs to be done to stop crime “before it starts.”
“That’s what we want to do through our Building Safe Communities Fund, which addresses gun crime at its root cause,” he said. “But for now, obviously, our focus must be on supporting the family of Greg Pierzchala.”
In an email to Global News, Canada’s Justice Minister David Lammetti said he was “shocked and dismayed” by Pirzchalla’s fatal shooting.
I want to express my condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues.”
He said the federal government “will always work to ensure that our criminal laws, including bail laws, effectively meet their purposes, keep all Canadians safe and are consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” “
He said the government’s position “has always been clear.”
“Those who commit serious crimes will get severe punishment,” he said.
Lamety said Canada’s criminal justice system is a “shared responsibility”, adding that the federal, provincial and territory governments should “work together to examine ways to reform the criminal justice system with respect to the bail system and its implementation”. continues.”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to Pirzchalla’s family, describing the news of his death as “heartbreaking”.
“To his family, friends and colleagues – the thoughts of all Canadians are with you,” he wrote on Twitter.
With files from the Canadian Press