EDITORIAL: Carney has no excuse not to fix crime laws

One of the most pressing problems for the PM is that of crime — and punishment.

Published Apr 15, 2026  •  Last updated 10 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 15, 2026. Photo by Blair Gable /Postmedia Network

Now that Prime Minister Mark Carney has achieved his goal of a majority government, he can get down to the difficult work of governing. He has no excuse for not getting things done. There’s no fear that a pesky Opposition will bring down his government prematurely.

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One of the most pressing problems is that of crime — and punishment. The decade-long, loosey-goosey Liberal approach to crime is failing law-abiding citizens, who no longer feel safe in their own homes. Carney can fix our flawed justice system now.

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In Toronto, well-heeled homeowners in the leafy Rosedale area are paying for private security patrols in their neighbourhood. That’s the same Rosedale riding that gave Carney an overwhelming vote of confidence in Monday’s byelection. They don’t feel safe. But, hey, let’s give the Liberals another majority. Pity those who can’t afford private cops.

Home invasions, carjackings and invasions of jewelry stores by gangs of thieves are commonplace.

The various parts of the Liberals’ crime reform package are making their way through Parliament. They include provisions for reverse onus bail and Criminal Code changes that provide for harsher penalties for serious crimes, plus consecutive sentences for those convicted of multiple offences. There’s also a pledge to beef up the RCMP and Canada Border Protection Services Agency (CBSA) by thousands of officers. That’s all very well, but it won’t mean a thing unless our courts get serious about violent offenders.

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As Postmedia columnist Brad Hunter reported this week, CBSA can apprehend newcomers to this country who have broken the law and a judge can set that person free with a stay of deportation. In one case, a man who was supposed to be deported to South Sudan was given a reprieve and then went on to murder another person.

Our bail system is also flawed. One of many shocking examples is that of Randall McKenzie, who was tried and found guilty of first-degree murder last December in the ambush-style murder of Ontario Provincial Police officer Greg Pierzchala. He had previously been released on bail by a judge who said he had to take into consideration McKenzie’s Indigenous status, despite his violent history.

When homeowners take the law into their own hands to protect their lives and property, the time for talk is over. The time for action is now.

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