How would local candidates propose tackling criminal justice reform and rehabilitation if they were elected as MP's for the region. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

criminal justice reform

Courtenay-Alberni: Addressing criminal justice reform and public safety on a local level

Apr 21, 2025 | 2:19 PM

NANAIMO — How would local MP’s work with community organizations, law enforcement and government leaders to address repeat violent offenders, promote rehabilitation and ensure public safety?

NanaimoNewsNOW surveyed candidates running in Courtenay-Alberni, asking them to highlight their personal opinions, beliefs and priorities, rather than just the platform of their party, on a number of key issues.

Candidates were asked the same question and provided up to 250 words to respond by a Monday, April 14 deadline. NanaimoNewsNOW has not edited the responses, aside from trimming any which exceed the word limit. Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order, by last name.

The third of a three-part series asks: Many communities face challenges with repeat offenders in the criminal justice system. How would you work with local organizations, law enforcement, and community leaders to address these issues in a way that reduces these repeat offenders, promoting rehabilitation, while also ensuring public safety?

Brian Cameron (Liberals): No response received by deadline.

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Thomas Gamble (People’s Party of Canada): One of the clearest failures in our justice system is that repeat, violent offenders fear nothing not the courts, not jail, and certainly not the consequences. That needs to change, as they should fear the victim.

As MP, I would support reforms that uphold the right to self-defence and ensure law-abiding Canadians are not treated like criminals for protecting themselves, their families, or their property. Victims should not need to fear government ganging up to punish them instead of the criminals. Balance must be restored to the justice system, where criminals fear their victims and the justice system, not the other way around. The justice system must stand for victims, not the perpetrators.

We need to end the cycle of catch-and-release, particularly for habitual violent offenders. At the same time, I would advocate for getting Ottawa out of the way so provinces and communities can pursue validating mental health, addiction recovery, and restorative programs at the local level and changed more easily if the evidence shows certain measures to be ineffective. I will also note that some tough-on-crime measures may be counterproductive. We can’t just throw away the key. Criminals are people too, and justice must remain measured. Punishments must be firm but still fit the crime, and once the penalty is served, they must have a way back into society.

Safety starts with responsibility: personal, community, and legal. The federal government’s job is to uphold justice, defend rights, and empower citizens, not to make excuses for repeat offenders.

Gord Johns (i) (NDP): No response received by deadline.

Teresa Knight (Animal Protection Party): Two prongs: I would advocate for the penalties for offenders to become more severe as the number of offences increases so that the person who continues offend to at some point is not allowed to cause further harm to others. Hand in hand with this approach is having the individual participate in planning a successful future path, offer assistance in carrying it out and monitor for success.

Chris Markevich (Green Party): Public safety is about more than enforcement. It means investing in mental health, housing, and prevention and creating systems that work for the people they’re meant to protect. I support strong public oversight of all police services, including the RCMP. Renewing contract policing should promote fairness, ensure appropriate use of police powers, and emphasize community-led approaches that respect culture and enhance public safety. I would urge the federal government to focus on a broader view of public safety, one that emphasizes prevention. This means tackling the main causes of crime. These include poverty, mental health, and homelessness. This approach supports restorative justice, community safety programs, and social services investment. I would also support stronger measures against modern threats like cybercrime and foreign interference, which requires better coordination between law enforcement agencies and increased transparency. I would urge the government to change bail and parole laws, requiring judges to consider systemic racism in sentencing. I believe in the need for a National Decarceration Strategy, which would redirect prison funds to community programs that promote healing and accountability.

Kris McNicol (Conservatives): Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. Recent incidents, such as the brazen home invasions in the Parksville area, have shaken our community to its core. It’s alarming to see that one of the offenders was released on bail just days after the attack, highlighting a serious flaw in our justice system.

Conservative justice reform means putting victims first, restoring accountability, and rejecting catch-and-release policies.

• End the Revolving Door: We must reverse policies that allow repeat offenders back on the streets. Serious crimes must have serious consequences.
• Tackle Drug Crime with Compassion and Enforcement: Treatment options should be available, but enforcement must be robust. Decriminalization experiments have failed our communities.
• Support Police: We need well-resourced law enforcement that’s empowered to do its job—protecting the public, upholding the law, and deterring crime.
• Stand with Victims: The justice system should prioritize the rights of victims—not the comfort of criminals.

Jesse Musial (Christian Heritage Party): No response received by deadline.

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