Jailed mass murderers will 'come out in a box,' Poilievre promises

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre renewed his promise to use the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to restore consecutive life sentences for mass murderers. Poilievre said on Monday that the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a Harper-era law that allowed consecutive life sentences could let “Canada’s most notorious killers… walk free early.” “The worst mass murderers should never be allowed back on our streets. For them, a life sentence should mean what it says: a life sentence. They should only come out in a box,” said Poilievre, at a press conference in Montreal on Monday morning. “I’m here today to defend the Charters of Rights and Freedoms, particularly for law-abiding Canadians and victims of crime,” said Poilievre. “By allowing repeat murderers back out on the street, Liberals are violating the rights of law-abiding people to live in peace and security.” Poilievre said he would only use the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause for criminal justice legislation, in response to a question from a reporter. Liberal Leader Mark Carney said Poilievre’s plan to use the notwithstanding clause was a “very dangerous step.” “Politicizing certain issues with respect to fundamental rights is a slippery slope that leads to further politicization,” said Carney, who was also in Montreal on Monday morning. “Being tough on crime starts with being smart on crime.” The Conservatives have been hammering criminal justice issues since the beginning of the campaign, with several policy announcements focused on public safety. Last week, the party announced a “three strikes and you’re out” law, which would deny bail, probation, house arrest or parole to repeat serious offenders. Anyone with three major convictions would face at least 10 years in prison and be labelled a dangerous offender, with release only possible “through spotless behaviour and clean drug tests.” Poilievre’s pledge to use the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause comes after the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Alexandre Bissonnette, the gunman who killed six people in a Quebec City mosque in 2017, couldn’t be forced to wait more than 25 years to be eligible for parole. A sentencing provision introduced by the Harper government in 2011 allowed judges to hand out consecutive life sentences, in blocks of 25 years, for multiple first-degree murders. Crown prosecutors originally asked for six 25-year blocks of parole ineligibility for Bissonnette, one for each person murdered, adding up to 150 years. The judge handed down a life sentence, with 40 years of parole ineligibility, which was later reduced to 25 years by an appeals court, which the Supreme Court agreed with. More to come. National Post