Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP Marc Dalton is pushing his private members bill that would give a minimum five-year sentence to those who burn places of worship.
Dalton tabled the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code during the summer, and recently prepared an online video promoting the changes in law.
"I asked the government how many places of worship had been arsoned since 2010. I could hardly believe their response to my question – 592," said Dalton in the video. "From coast to coast churches, synagogues, mandirs, mosques and temples have been set on fire and vandalized."
His private members bill, the Anti-Arson Act, Bill C-411, would see the Criminal Code adjusted to allow a minimum of five years for a first offence and seven years for subsequent offences.
"It's a serious crime, you'll do serious time," he said.
Dalton said he started investigating arson at Canadian religious institutions about 18 months ago, when he became aware of the increasing number of religious structures being burned or vandalized.
"It bothered me, and I didn't see much in the way of consequences," he said. "The current government has not taken crime very seriously, and this is another crime they're not taking seriously."
One arson that hit home for Dalton was a historic 114-year-old Catholic Church in Morinville, Alberta that was destroyed by fire in 2021. His father had attended services there as a youth.
He also referenced the Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in Vancouver where a fire was set on May 30, when members were inside.
"It makes people feel vulnerable. These are not just buildings, people go there to find peace, to find fellowship, and to find God," he said, adding the impact is the same whether the victims are Jewish, Sikh, Christian or Muslim.
The provincial breakdown is :
145 in B.C.
128 in Ontario
103 in Quebec
161 in the Prairies
48 in Atlantic Canada
7 in the Territories
Private members bills are rarely passed into law. However, Dalton said it has been well received by his party, and added "if we do form government, I believe this will become law."
