1 week Ago By Carolina Avendano
Liberal Leader Mark Carney has promised to overhaul defence procurement to support Canadian sovereignty and domestic industry, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledged to restore consecutive sentences for multiple counts of murder, on day 23 of the election campaign. “We have to give our armed forces the new resources that they need to defend our sovereignty with a made-in-Canada defence procurement approach that will help our defence businesses to grow here at home, all while diversifying their markets and growing their cooperation and sales abroad,” Carney said. During his April 14 address, Carney said he would streamline defence procurement processes by establishing a new agency, updating defence procurement rules, and amending related legislation or regulations.
He also said new defence deals would prioritize Canadian raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, and critical minerals, when possible. Carney said he would also put focus on advanced research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. The Liberals say they will also expand the CanExport program to help Canadian defence businesses grow their international exports, with a focus on “diversifying from the United States.
” The Conservatives have also pledged to meet the NATO spending benchmark. He said the current policies are “violating the rights of law-abiding people to live in peace and security” by reducing sentences for offenders with multiple convictions. Poilievre said the current policies “put the so-called rights of criminals ahead of the rights of law-abiding Canadians.
” “Parliament has the legitimate constitutional authority and the moral duty to correct this injustice and restore common sense sentencing with no more discounts for multiple murderers,” Poilievre said. “Every life matters, and someone who takes multiple lives should be held accountable for each one.” This would be the first time a federal government uses the notwithstanding clause, also known as Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to pass a law.
When asked on April 14 whether he respects the Supreme Court’s decisions, Poilievre said he does, “and I also respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees life, liberty, and the security of the person to every single Canadian,” he said. “Politicizing certain issues with respect to fundamental rights is a slippery slope that leads to further politicization,” said Carney. “Being tough on crime and being tough starts with being smart on crime, and it includes being tough on guns and gun violence.
” During his policy announcement, Poilievre was asked to provide an example in which a mass murderer was set free, but he explained that such cases have not yet occurred since the Supreme Court’s ruling was only issued a few years ago. He added that if the current policy remains unchanged, violent offenders could become eligible for parole in about 25 years..
“The principle of a fair justice system is proportionality, and when you kill six people, to be eligible to go back on the streets only 25 years later is not only disproportionate, but it is a violation of the Charter rights of the victims and of their families,” Poilievre said..
