(LifeSiteNews) – In light of a rash of recent home invasions in Canada, one of which resulted in the death of a 46-year-old father defending his family home, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lashed out at Mark Carney’s “catch and release” bail laws, saying they need to be rescinded while adding Canadians have a “right” to defend their homes.
“It has been a show about nothing in Mr. Carney’s government,” Poilievre told reporters at a press conference recently.
“But unfortunately, it has been a horror show in our communities,” he added, noting the recent increase in violent home invasions plaguing Canada.
The conservative leader called out the Carney Liberals “catch and release” bail system, saying it’s time those laws, which hail from the Trudeau era, to be removed so that repeat offenders stay in jail.
“Three strikes, you’re out. You commit three violent offenses, you go to jail, and you never get out,” Poilievre said to reporters.
Specifically, Poilievre referenced a fatal home invasion that recently occurred in Waterloo, Ontario, that saw a father of three shot dead in front of his kids and family after his home was invaded.
Public furor over the shooting intensified after York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween suggested victims of home intruders try not to defend their family and home, saying, “the best defense is to comply.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford blasted Carney’s catch-and-release laws, blaming the federal government’s policies for the shooting.
“I watch when they catch these guys. I almost guarantee you, they’ve been out on bail for another heinous crime,” he said to reporters.
“The federal government is more worried about going after legal hunters and gun owners than criminals. That’s what they need to do,” he added.
Poilievre calls for ‘Castle Laws’ in Canada
While speaking to reporters, Poilievre blasted the Carney Liberals for their soft-on-crime stance, saying that if Canada wants to “end the Wild West,” it needs to “lock up the criminals and throw away the key.”
“People have a right to defend their home. Your home is your castle,” he said.
“Someone comes into your house and threatens your family, you should have the right to take force against them.”
Poilievre added that should his party ever form government, it would introduce the “Stand on Guard Act,” which he said would strengthen Canada’s self-defense rights and make sure repeat offenders stay in jail.
“Three strikes, you’re out,” he said.
“You commit three violent offenses, you go to jail, and you never get out … “Seniors are afraid to go outside. Parents are afraid to let their children play alone. Canadians are afraid their car might be stolen.”
Earlier this year, Poilievre gained the support of the Toronto Police Association (TPA).
The TPA’s endorsement came after two other large Canadian police unions, the Durham, Ontario, Regional Police Association and the Peel, Ontario, Regional Police Association, backed Poilievre for prime minister, citing his promises to reform Canada’s bail system and to “hold criminals accountable” for their crimes.
