Ottawa, ON—Marc Dalton, Common Sense Conservative Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge, released the following statement:
“After nine years of Justin Trudeau, religious communities are under threat. Hate crimes have increased by 251 percent. Since 2020, over 100 churches have been burned. Synagogues have been firebombed. Mosques have been targeted. Gurdwaras have been threatened. Temples have been attacked.
“These places of worship are not just buildings; they are sacred spaces where people go to find faith, family, and freedom. Canadians should never find their place of peace destroyed by hateful criminals, sowing fear into their communities. Instead of turning a blind eye to these horrific crimes, Common Sense Conservatives will defend your freedom of worship and assembly from arsonists.
“Despite an increase of over 100% since Trudeau took office, this NDP-Liberal Government has barely acknowledged that these evil crimes have happened, much less taken any action. But where this government has failed, Common Sense Conservatives will take action.
“That is why Conservatives have introduced Bill C-411, the Anti-Arson Act. This bill will create an offence for causing damage by fire or explosion to a place of worship. It will also mean that if someone is found guilty of this offence, they will face a minimum of 5 years in jail for a first offence and a minimum of 7 years for any subsequent offences.
“Only Common Sense Conservatives will stop the crime and the chaos so that Canadians’ places of worship are protected from arson.”