Canadians have been clear: they want decisive action to address the issues that threaten public safety in their communities. Our government was elected with a mandate and a promise to strengthen Canada's laws, support law enforcement, and ensure that our justice system protects victims and holds offenders accountable.
As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, I am extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished over the past year. Despite repeated Conservative obstruction at the House of Commons Justice Committee, our government remained focused on delivering results for Canadians.
In less than twelve months, Canada's new government has advanced one of the most ambitious criminal justice reform agendas in recent memory. With the passage of the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9), the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14), and the Protecting Victims Act (Bill C-16), we have taken meaningful action to strengthen Canada's criminal laws and build safer communities.
Last week, Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, officially became law. The legislation provides law enforcement with stronger tools to combat hate-motivated crimes and target those who threaten, intimidate, or commit acts of violence against individuals and communities. It also strengthens protections for places of worship, recognizing a fundamental Canadian value: every person should be free to be who they are and practice their faith openly, proudly, and safely.
Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, is also now law. This important legislation strengthens protections for victims of crime, particularly victims of intimate partner violence, while introducing tougher measures to keep children safe from sexual predators. By providing law enforcement and the courts with stronger tools to intervene earlier and hold offenders accountable, these reforms help prevent violence before it occurs and better protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Together, these reforms reflect our government's commitment to protecting Canadians, supporting victims, and giving police and prosecutors the tools they need to keep our neighbourhoods safe.
While much has been accomplished, our work is not done. Our government will continue to move with urgency to strengthen Canada's laws, improve public safety, and deliver on the commitments we have made to Canadians.