Conservatives call on feds to pass Khanna’s Jail Not Bail Act

Oxford Conservative Arpan Khanna is hoping his Private Member’s Bill will pass second reading in the House of Commons. House of Commons video screenshot

By Lee Griffi

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna is pleading with the Liberal government to move forward on his private member’s Bill.

Khanna and Larry Brock, shadow minister for justice and the attorney general of Canada, are calling on the Liberal government to urgently support and pass Bill C-242, the Jail Not Bail Act, as it returns for further debate and a second reading this week. 

“After nearly a decade of failed Liberal criminal justice policies, Canadians are facing a growing wave of violent crime, including a sharp and deeply concerning rise in extortion,” said Khanna.

He added extortion has increased by 330 per cent in the country since 2015, with communities across Canada experiencing threats, violence and intimidation tied to organized criminal activity.

“Small businesses, families and community leaders are being targeted repeatedly by offenders who are released back into the community under the current bail regime,” he added.

Khanna rose in the House of Commons on Monday and said parliamentarians are entrusted with the duty to do what is right, not what is easy.

“What is right is to build a criminal justice system that protects Canadians and the most vulnerable, listens to the stories of victims, and recognizes the profound impact of every life lost, every life shattered.”

He added there is a name and a face behind every crime statistic, as well as a family that will never be the same.

“I met with those families. Parents will never see their child again. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and communities are divided into before and after because a repeat violent offender was released over and over again,” Khanna said.

He said serious action needs to be taken so no more families need to suffer at the hands of repeat offenders.

“Our victims are the ones who feel they are living on house arrest. They look over their shoulders and change their routines, all while criminals walk in and out of jail. The victims who had their lives changed are facing a life sentence, not the criminals.”

The Conservatives claim Bill C-242 is about restoring balance in the criminal justice system to protect the victims, not the offenders. Khanna added he and his colleagues held dozens of townhall meetings across Canada, talking to families, victims and law enforcement.

“We have had tens of thousands of signatures on petitions, and the message we hear is very clear, Mr. Speaker. Canadians are terrified and fed up. They have anxiety and they are hurting, but despite that pain, they hope we can make the right call in this chamber to put forward solid policy ideas to restore safe streets in our country.”

The bill outlines a dozen proposed changes to the justice system the party says will prioritize public safety and put victims’ rights first.

“Canadians are living with the consequences of a justice system that too often puts the rights of repeat violent offenders ahead of the safety of law-abiding citizens,” said Brock. “The Liberal government has had years to act, yet violent crime continues to rise while offenders cycle in and out of the system. Enough is enough.” 

The Conservatives say Bill C-242 would restore public confidence in the justice system by ensuring individuals accused of serious, repeat and violent offences face stricter bail conditions and are not routinely released back into communities to reoffend. 

“Communities across this country are dealing with the real and immediate impacts of catch-and-release justice,” said Khanna. “The Jail Not Bail Act is a commonsense response that prioritizes victims, restores accountability and ensures that dangerous individuals are kept behind bars.” 

Conservatives have repeatedly called on the government to repeal Bills C-5 and C-75, which weakened sentencing laws and entrenched the “principle of restraint” that prioritizes release over public safety. Despite these calls, the government has failed to take meaningful action. 

“With extortion and violent crime at alarming rates, Canadians cannot afford further delay,” added Khanna. “This is an opportunity for all parties to come together, put public safety first and deliver real results for Canadians.” 

A vote on the bill was scheduled to be held on Wednesday after the Gazette’s deadline.