On Friday, March 7th, 2025, I hosted a town hall at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 72 in Pembroke to discuss justice issues impacting the Ottawa Valley. The event featured Mr. Larry Brock, M.P., Member of Parliament for Brantford—Brant and Conservative critic to the Minister of Justice, as a guest speaker.
The town hall was attended by nearly 100 residents from Pembroke and across the Valley, including notable figures such as Mayor of Pembroke Ron Gervais, Councillor Ian Kuehl, Mayor of Whitewater Region Neil Nicholson, and Mayor of Greater Madawaska Rob Weir. Newly elected M.P.P. Billy Denault took notes to bring to the Ontario Legislature.
The purpose of the town hall was to listen to concerns about crime and public safety, particularly in the Ottawa Valley, and to discuss nationwide security matters.
After ten years under the Trudeau-Carney Liberals, crime has skyrocketed in every community across Canada as a consequence of soft-on-crime policies driven solely by ideology.
Mr. Brock provided valuable insights into the rising crime rates and public safety concerns felt throughout the country. Drawing from his extensive legal career, which includes over 33 years of experience and 17 years as a Crown Attorney in Brant County, Ontario, Mr. Brock highlighted the changes in the justice system under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the subsequent shifts under the Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau and now Mark Carney.
Mr. Brock pointed out that the crime surge has affected the quality of life for nearly all Canadians. He noted that Pembroke, with a population of just over 14,000 residents, has a crime rate 118% higher than the provincial average and 60% above the national average.
After ten years under the Trudeau-Carney Liberals, crime has skyrocketed in every community across Canada as a consequence of soft-on-crime policies driven solely by ideology.