Reinstate mandatory minimum sentences
Petitioners ask Government to repeal C-5 and C-75, reinstate mandatory minimums for extortion, human and fentanyl trafficking, and classify repeat offenders 'dangerous'. The government responds it introduced Bill C-14 to tighten bail and sentencing.
Why we would sign this petition
- Keeps repeat violent offenders detained longer, which may reduce repeat crimes and improve community safety amid reported rises in violent and gun crime.
- Reinstating mandatory minimums for extortion, human trafficking and fentanyl trafficking signals tougher penalties that could deter organized and drug-related crime.
- Repealing C-5 and C-75 and tightening bail responds to police calls for reform and could restore public confidence in the justice system.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Mandatory minimums remove judicial discretion, risking disproportionate or unjust sentences in complex or atypical cases.
- Tougher bail rules and longer mandatory sentences can substantially increase prison populations and associated costs, potentially diverting funds from prevention or treatment.
- Broad 'dangerous offender' designations and fixed minimums may limit rehabilitation options; targeted, evidence-based interventions could better reduce recidivism.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: Since the Liberals took office in 2015, Canada has seen violent crime rise by 50%, gun crime surge by 116%, extortion skyrocket by 357%, gang-related homicides nearly double, human trafficking increase by 83%, and sexual assaults climb by 75%; and In June 2025, the York Regional Police Chief called for urgent bail reform, especially concerning repeat violent offenders. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: Repeal Bill C-5, which eliminated mandatory minimum penalties for certain drug and firearm offenses and expanded conditional sentencing; Repeal Bill C-75, which reformed Canada's bail system to prioritize release at the earliest reasonable opportunity with minimal conditions which has led to repeat violent offenders being released quickly, exacerbating violent crime; and Introduce mandatory minimum sentences for crimes like extortion, human trafficking, and fentanyl trafficking and designating repeat offenders as "Dangerous Offenders" to keep them incarcerated longer.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY PATRICIA LATTANZIO Everyone deserves to live in a society where they are safe. Our Government knows that repeat and violent offending is top-of-mind for many people in Canada, as well as concerns that the bail system is not working as it should. On Thursday, October 23rd, our Government introduced Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, legislation to make bail laws stricter and toughen sentencing laws. The legislation proposes over 80 clauses of targeted changes to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) and the National Defence Act. This legislation is the result of extensive collaboration between the federal government, the provinces and territories, as well as law enforcement from across the country. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act would strengthen community safety and increase confidence in the administration of justice by making bail harder to get in cases of repeat and violent offending and imposing a stronger sentencing framework. Under the proposed changes, new reverse onuses would be created for certain serious offences — meaning that the default position is detention, and the accused would need to demonstrate why they should be released on bail. The legislation would also direct police not to release an accused when doing so would be against the public interest or where detention is needed to protect victims or witnesses. Courts would be required to carefully assess the accused’s bail plan to ensure it is credible and reliable before granting release. In addition to these bail reforms, Bill C-14 would strengthen sentencing laws for repeat and violent crimes, including car theft and extortion, allowing sentences to be served consecutively in certain circumstances. The bill would introduce new aggravating factors for crimes targeting first responders, retail workers, and for theft or mischief that harms essential infrastructure. It would also eliminate conditional sentence orders (house arrest) for specific sexual assault and child sexual offences and restore driving prohibitions for convictions of criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death, as well as manslaughter. Together, these measures represent a decisive step toward a justice system that better protects Canadians, supports victims, and holds offenders accountable.