Taking Action on Crime: Stronger Laws For Safer Communities

Federal Anti-Crime Legislation to Keep Our Communities Safe

The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to hold criminals responsible and keep communities safe. We are strengthening bail laws to ensure repeat and violent offenders are held accountable and are not released when public safety is at risk. For serious crimes, tougher sentences ensure criminals are brought to justice and victims and communities are protected.

We are also modernizing the Criminal Code of Canada to better protect women and children. This includes new measures to criminalize the creation and distribution of sexualized, AI-generated deepfake images. No one should be targeted, exploited, or threatened by this emerging technology.

At the same time, we are taking firm action against hate and extremism. This includes stronger protections for vulnerable religious communities and measures to outlaw terrorist symbols that promote violence, intimidation, and division.

“People in Hamilton expect a justice system that protects them and holds criminals accountable." "We are strengthening bail laws for repeat and violent offenders, ensuring serious crimes carry real consequences, cracking down on hate-motivated crime, modernizing our laws to tackle online and organized crime, and giving police the tools they need to act. I will continue working closely with the Hamilton Police Service and our provincial and municipal partners to keep our communities safe.” John-Paul Danko, P. Eng., Member of Parliament, Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas

Key Anti-Crime Legislation Before Parliament

Strong Borders and Safe Communities Act — Bill C-2

Strong Borders and Safe Communities Act (Bill C-2)Full legislation: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-2/first-reading

Key measures include:

• Enhancing law enforcement powers to disrupt organized crime networks

• Strengthening penalties for drug trafficking and weapons smuggling

• Improving coordination between federal agencies and police services

• Supporting border security operations

Combatting Hate Act — Bill C-9

Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9)Full legislation: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-9/first-reading

Key measures include:

• Creating a stand-alone hate crime offence

• Criminalizing the promotion of hatred through specific hate or terrorist symbols

• Protecting access to religious and community spaces

• Removing barriers to prosecuting hate propaganda offences

Bail and Sentencing Reform Act — Bill C-14

Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14)Full legislation: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-14/first-reading

Key elements include:

• Stricter bail rules for serious and repeat offenders

• Stronger sentencing provisions for violent crimes

• Ending house arrest for serious sexual offences

• Stronger penalties for crimes targeting first responders, essential infrastructure, and organized retail theft

Protecting Victims Act — Bill C-16

Protecting Victims Act (Bill C-16)Full legislation: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-16/first-reading

Key provisions include:

• Creating a coercive control offence

• Recognizing femicide in defined circumstances

• Strengthening child sexual exploitation laws

• Expanding offences related to luring, sextortion, and recruiting minors

Lawful Access Act — Bill C-22

Lawful Access Act (Bill C-22)Full legislation: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-22/first-reading

Key elements include:

• Court-authorized access to digital evidence

• Updated tools to investigate cybercrime and organized crime

• Modernized rules for electronic communications and data access

• Strong oversight to protect privacy and Charter rights

Stopping Illegal Guns from Crossing the Border

Criminal gun violence in Canada is frequently linked to firearms trafficked illegally across the border from the United States. Our government is taking action to disrupt these networks and keep illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals.

Key actions include:

• Increased resources for the Canada Border Services Agency to intercept illegal firearms

• Expanded intelligence sharing between federal agencies and local police

• Targeted efforts to dismantle organized crime and gun smuggling networks

• Stronger penalties for firearms trafficking offences

These efforts directly support the work of the Hamilton Police Service, helping keep illegal guns out of Hamilton communities.

Working with Provinces: Courts and Jails

While the federal government is responsible for criminal law, provinces are responsible for how the justice system operates in practice.

• The federal government defines crimes and penalties

• Provinces administer courts, prosecutors, and correctional systems

• Provincial jails house offenders serving sentences under two years

• Provinces manage bail courts and ensure cases move through the system

Strong coordination with Ontario is essential to ensure that tougher federal laws are backed by timely court processes and effective enforcement.

Local Role: Municipalities and Police

Municipal governments and local police services are on the front lines of community safety and play a critical role within Canada’s justice system.

In cities like Hamilton, municipalities are responsible for:

• Funding and overseeing local police services

• Supporting community safety initiatives and crime prevention programs

• Investing in housing, social services, and youth programs that address root causes of crime

• Coordinating emergency services and community response efforts

Local police services, including the Hamilton Police Service, are responsible for:

• Enforcing the Criminal Code and federal laws

• Investigating crimes and laying charges

• Working with provincial prosecutors to bring cases before the courts

• Collaborating with federal agencies on organized crime, drug trafficking, and gun smuggling investigations

• Engaging in community policing and crime prevention.

  
  

Effective public safety depends on strong collaboration across all levels of government. Federal laws set the framework, provinces administer justice, and municipalities and police services deliver enforcement and prevention on the ground.

Through coordinated action across federal, provincial, and municipal partners, Canada is strengthening its justice system to better protect communities, support victims, and ensure that those who commit serious crimes are held fully accountable.

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