PC Policies Aim to Protect Victims of Crime, Manitobans’ Sense of Safety in Their Own Homes
WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives are once again pushing for common-sense policies that protect victims of crime and prevent revictimization.
PCs’ “Right to Defend Home and Family” Private Member’s Resolution resumed debate on Thursday. Introduced by Borderland MLA Josh Guenter, the resolution urges Ottawa to amend the Criminal Code to clearly allow homeowners to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves and their families against home invaders.
“Families have a right to feel safe in their own homes,” said Guenter. “This resolution calls on the NDP government to simply affirm that right by ensuring better protections for homeowners who are defending their lives, the lives of their loved ones, and their property. Manitobans shouldn’t need yet another year of major home invasions and violent crime for the provincial government to get on board.”
This summer, Manitobans were shaken by news of an incident involving an armed group of thieves in Dufferin and the arrest of the victim who confronted them. Last month, a man allegedly broke into a Winnipeg woman’s home, choked and sexually assaulted her, and threatened to kill her. In May, an armed man broke into a St. James home, held a family with children hostage, and started a fire. Last September, Hollow Water First Nation witnessed a fatal stabbing rampage involving home break-ins. Other major incidents over the last year included armed home invasions targeting seniors, a home-based business, a northern First Nation, and more.
Coinciding with Guenter’s resolution, PCs’ Bill 210, The Criminal Trespassers Act and Amendments to The Occupiers’ Liability Act, also entered into second reading on Thursday. Introduced by Interlake–Gimli MLA and Opposition House Leader Derek Johnson, the legislation would protect property owners from unjustified lawsuits by criminals who sustain injuries while trespassing. Bill 210 deals with civil liability, meaning existing criminal laws governing the use of force would continue to apply.
“We are bringing this bill forward again because the issue that led us to introduce it in the first place has not gone away,” said Johnson. “Manitobans deserve to feel safe in their communities. Homeowners, farmers, and businesses should know where they stand when someone enters their property without permission to commit a crime. Bill 210 addresses that situation and protects Manitobans from being revictimized.”
Another PC policy to protect victims of crime will enter second reading next week, aiming to prevent intimate partner violence in particular. Introduced by Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte, Bill 212, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Stalking-Related Measures), allows courts to impose an automatic driver’s licence suspension on people convicted of criminal harassment (i.e., stalking) if a vehicle was used in committing the crime. The bill also authorizes police to seize and impound a vehicle if officers discover that the person using the vehicle was committing criminal harassment.
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