Conservative MPs encouraged the Liberals to vote in favour of a private member’s bill mandating compensation for damage to religious properties by arsonists or vandals, as church arsons have risen in recent years.
“By amending the Criminal Code to enhance the protection of places of worship, we send a clear message to faith communities and, indeed, all Canadians that we value this freedom and that vandalizing places of worship is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Conservative MP and sponsor of the bill Kelly Block said on Oct. 5 during second reading of the bill.
Bill C-255 comes amid a wave of arsons toward churches in recent years. The private member’s bill would mandate that vandals and arsonists “compensate the property owner” for damages “in relation to a building or structure, or part of a building or structure, that is primarily used for religious worship — including a church, mosque, synagogue or temple.” The bill also proposes up to two years’ imprisonment for a summary conviction….