Arnold Viersen

MP for Peace River – Westlock

In the first weeks of the fall Parliamentary session, the Conservative Party of Canada moved important motions to force debates on violent crime and the emissions cap. These motions take place during supply days which are allotted to the opposition parties who are able to set the agenda for the day.

The Conservative motion on crime highlighted how the Liberals changed the laws to allow for house arrest for serious offenders and let repeat criminals go free within hours of their arrest. This has resulted in a 50 per cent increase in violent crime. As a result, the Conservative motion called on the Liberals to reverse these changes and implement a ‘Three-Strikes-And-You’re-Out’ law that will stop criminals convicted of three serious offences from getting bail, probation, parole or house arrest and keep violent criminals in jail for at least 10 years.

This crime crisis is one of the Liberals’ own making and Canadians are left to live with the devastating consequences and rampant criminals go free within hours of their arrest. While the Conservative motion on crime was defeated by a vote of 189 against and 139 in favour, we are putting forward bills in Parliament to bring about these changes.

The second Conservative motion called on the Prime Minister to immediately repeal the oil and gas emissions cap, which in effect is a production cap. Instead of strengthening our economy and supporting workers, the Liberal emissions cap policy will devastate jobs in the energy sector and make life more expensive. A March 2025 report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer revealed that the cap on Canadian energy will reduce oil and gas production by nearly five per cent, cut GDP by $20.5 billion annually, and eliminate 54,400 full-time jobs by 2032. Once again, this motion was defeated by vote of 191 against and 140 in favour.

Unfortunately, the Liberals are teaming up again with the NDP to vote against common sense and throw Canadians under the bus. Conservatives will always focus on ensuring Canadians can live in their communities safe from violent criminals with good paying jobs and low taxes.