OTTAWA, ON — Quebec Lieutenant for the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Paul-Hus, released the following statement on the release of new Quebec crime statistics in the 2022 Crime Trends Report:

“Crime and chaos, drugs and disorder are raging in our cities after eight years of Justin Trudeau and his catch-and-release criminal justice policies. This week’s report, along with recent data from Statistics Canada, confirmed that communities across our province are experiencing a crime wave that is making Quebecers less safe.

“Since 2015, violent crime is up 40%, murders are up 39%, violent gun crime is up 161% and vehicle thefts are up 59%. The new report shows a 16.8% increase in homicides, a 14.5% increase in gun crimes and a 50% increase in car thefts in 2022 alone. 

“This shocking rise in crime across Quebec is a direct result of catch-and-release laws, passed by Justin Trudeau and supported by the Bloc Quebecois, which allow repeat violent offenders back onto our streets and into our communities instead of remaining in jail where they belong.

“Just this week, we saw the direct impact of Justin Trudeau’s policies in Montreal – when two suspects, now facing charges of sexual assault and kidnapping, were pursued by police through the streets of Montreal. One of these offenders was out on bail when he should have been in a jail cell.

“Common sense Conservatives will put an end to Justin Trudeau and the Bloc’s catch-and-release policy and bring jail, not bail, for repeat violent criminals. Things weren’t like this before Justin Trudeau, and they won’t be like this after he’s gone. A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre will bring home safe streets in Quebec communities.”