Press release - Bernier announces self-defence policy

Winkler, MB, June 13, 2023 — The Leader of the People’s Party of Canada and Portage-Lisgar by-election candidate, Maxime Bernier, announced his party’s new policy on self-defence at a press conference in Winkler.

“Crime is a rising concern in many regions of the country, including in rural areas like here in Portage-Lisgar, where many houses are isolated, and police stations are sometimes many tens of kilometers away,” Bernier explained. “One obvious way to deter crime is to make it clear to criminals that there are laws and enforcement means in place that make it likely that they will be caught and severely punished.”

“Another is the fear that their victims are going to defend themselves.”

Bernier’s 3-point policy proposal is as follows:

• Amend section 34 of the Criminal Code to clarify and fortify the right to self-defence, and increase the burden of proof necessary to charge and convict victims who used force to defend themselves against a violent attacker.
• Amend section 35 of the Criminal Code to include the concept of the inviolability of one’s home, known as “Castle Doctrine,” that allows victims to use force (up to and including deadly force) to defend themselves against a violent intruder, free from legal prosecution.
• Amend the Criminal Code to remove pepper spray from the list of prohibited weapons and make it legal to possess and carry it for self-defence.

Bernier’s full remarks can be found by clicking here.

Contact: For more information, please write to: [email protected]

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