Stricter sentences for violent recidivists
Petitioners ask Ottawa to enact 'Adam's Law' imposing stricter sentences for repeat violent offenders, including one-year imprisonment per wound, longer victim-service reporting timeframes, and enhanced family supports. The government responds that it has introduced Bills C-14 and C-16 proposing bail, sentencing and victims'‑rights reforms to strengthen penalties and victim supports.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would raise penalties and create a clear sentencing standard (one year per wound), increasing accountability for repeat violent offenders.
- Harsher sentences aim to deter violent crime and reduce reoffending, addressing public safety concerns.
- Longer reporting windows and expanded supports could help victims access services and allow families more time to get assistance.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- A fixed one-year-per-wound rule could remove judicial discretion and produce disproportionate sentences in complex cases.
- Extending reporting windows and boosting services without added resources may strain courts and victim programs, reducing effectiveness.
- Emphasizing harsher punishment over rehabilitation may neglect root causes of violence and limit long-term reductions in reoffending.
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 House of Commons Parliament of Canada Whereas: Debbie Johnston's son Adam was murdered, and she would like Ottawa to bring in tougher laws in the name of her son Adam in order to prevent future crimes against people; Often offenders who commit violent crimes are being released early without proper rehabilitation doesn't work, becomes back into most definitely repeat offenders; We need changes to our justice system that would see stricter laws and sentences for repeat offenders that are involved in violent crimes. Time the amount the person been beaten, stabbed, shot should be sentencing on a year for each time a person's been hit; We need more time allocated for victims to report to Victim Services, especially in cases where victims are gravely injured or hospitalized; Sentences for violent crimes should also reflect on the importance of being a deterrent to those violent crimes being committed by younger children continues into adulthood; and There is a need for better supports for families affected by violent crime. We the undersigned, residents of the Province of Manitoba, call on the House of Commons, MPs of all political parties to always think of the victims and family members of victims, in dealing with changes to the criminal code with respect to violent crimes. Stricter laws new name means grieving or families grieving with loss of loved ones should be indeed under new law Adam's law. This should be looked into entirely as a city as so many murders have been accruing. This justice system is a joke. Young offenders or adults don't really care because of the fact they'll be let free soon. They should have their families, we do not. We the victims are a loss of loved ones. Victim services is only limited till trials are over.
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 The Government is committed to strengthening public safety, supporting victims of crime, and ensuring that Canada’s criminal justice system effectively responds to repeat and violent offenders. The Government recognizes the profound harm and devastation that crime causes to victims, families, and communities. The Government is dedicated to helping victims rebuild their lives and ensuring that repeat and violent offenders are held accountable. On October 23, 2025, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act. The proposed reforms in Bill C-14 would make bail laws tougher and sentencing laws stronger by: Enacting a new aggravating factor and consecutive sentence provisions for repeat violent offending; Requiring judges to impose consecutive sentences for arson and extortion, and auto theft and break and enter; Requiring judges to prioritize denunciation and deterrence for repeat auto theft, break and enter, and organized crime; Enacting restrictions on the use of conditional sentence orders (also known as house arrest) for serious sexual offences, including child sexual offences; Directing courts and police on the proper application of the principle of restraint, making it clear that this does not mandate release, and instructing police and courts not to release an accused if detention is necessary for the safety of the public, including victims; Directing courts not to give primary consideration to release over detention where a reverse onus applies; Requiring courts to impose any necessary conditions to address the risks posed by the accused when they are released on bail; Requiring courts to consider whether the accused is charged with an offence in the commission of which random and unprovoked violence was used or attempted when making any bail decision; Adding the number or gravity of any outstanding charges against an accused as circumstances that a court is to consider in assessing whether the pre-trial detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice; Expanding the existing reverse onus provision for repeat and violent offenders to include any person charged with an offence involving violence and the use of a weapon, punishable by at least a maximum of ten years imprisonment, who has been previously convicted of a similar offence within the last 10 instead of 5 years. Further, on December 9, 2025, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, introduced Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which includes significant reforms to Canada’s Criminal Code and other pieces of legislation to confront modern threats, protect victims, and strengthen victims’ rights. The proposed reforms in Bill C-16 would: Classify murders driven by hate or that occur alongside controlling or coercive behaviour of an intimate partner, sexual violence or exploitation as first-degree murder; Criminalize coercive control, giving the justice system the tools to intervene before violence escalates; Prohibit the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes, increase penalties for the distribution of intimate images without consent, prohibit threats to distribute such images, and increase penalties for sexual assault on summary conviction; Increase the maximum penalties of imprisonment for several offences in the Criminal Code; Ensure mandatory minimum penalties remain strong, enforceable, and constitutional by strengthening all mandatory minimum penalties of imprisonment, including those in the Criminal Code. For many victims, the court process itself can be overwhelming and retraumatizing, even more so when cases are stayed because of procedural delays. Bill C-16 would give courts clear guidance on how to deal with court delays, including in sexual assault cases and make clear that a stay need not be imposed in cases of delay. Amendments would also be made to the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights to improve victims and survivors’ access to information about the criminal justice system, the case in which they are involved, and the offender who harmed them, and make testimonial aids more accessible. These changes would help victims feel safer in court, reduce trauma, and ensure they are treated with respect and dignity throughout a process.