Conservative Member of Parliament Larry Brock is stepping up pressure on the federal government over rising crime rates, launching a national petition that urges Ottawa to scrap key Liberal justice reforms and tighten bail rules for repeat violent offenders.
Speaking Thursday in Ottawa, the Brantford–Brant South–Six Nations MP accused the government of creating what he called a “revolving door” in the justice system, pointing to federal legislation that he argues has made it easier for high-risk accused to be released while awaiting trial.
“Police are doing their job, pulling illegal guns, fentanyl, and violent offenders off the streets,” Brock said. “But thanks to Liberal soft-on-crime laws, the same violent criminals keep walking free over and over again.”
Brock singled out two major pieces of legislation—Bill C-5 and Bill C-75—that he contends have eroded accountability and public safety. Bill C-5 repealed several mandatory minimum sentences for firearms and drug offences, while Bill C-75 introduced a “principle of restraint” requiring judges to consider the least restrictive bail conditions possible.
“Since the Liberals came to power in 2015, violent crime in Canada has increased by 50%,” Brock said. “Sexual assaults are up 74%, gang-related homicides are up 78%, gun crime is up 116%, and extortion has exploded by 357%.”
Although crime statistics are often subject to debate over interpretation, Brock insisted the trends reflect a justice system increasingly unable to keep repeat offenders behind bars.
The petition lays out a five-point plan for reform:
• Tighten Bail: Amend the Criminal Code to make bail significantly more restrictive for those charged with serious violent offences, firearms offences, and intimate partner violence.
• Restore Mandatory Minimums: Repeal Bill C-5 to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences for crimes the Conservatives consider “serious and violent.”
• End the Principle of Restraint: Scrap the provisions in Bill C-75 that prioritize early and least onerous release conditions.
• Support Police and Victims: Ensure public safety takes precedence in bail decisions, and that victims’ rights are prioritized over offender reintegration.
• Coordinate National Standards: Work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities to create consistent bail policies across jurisdictions.
The federal Liberals have long defended their reforms as essential to reducing systemic over-incarceration of Indigenous people and racialized Canadians, while maintaining that violent offenders can still be detained under existing laws.
Justice Minister Arif Virani has argued that Bill C-75 “strikes an appropriate balance between Charter protections and community safety,” noting that judges retain discretion to deny bail in high-risk cases.
But Brock dismissed that position, saying judges are too constrained to protect the public effectively.
“This is an issue that all members of all parties heard loud and clear during the campaign,” he said. “Canadians are scared, and they’re tired of revolving door justice.”
The Conservatives have made crime a core plank in their criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, framing it as a test of leadership and public trust.
“This isn’t about partisan politics,” Brock said. “This is about whether dangerous criminals stay behind bars or end up back in our neighbourhoods.”
The petition is available online for Canadians to sign in English and French:
The federal government has not yet formally responded to Brock’s proposal.
