COQUITLAM – The Honourable Senator Yonah Martin issued the following statement today in response to the horrific act of gun violence that occurred yesterday in Coquitlam.
“This senseless act of gun violence has struck the heart of Coquitlam and threatened the safety and security of our community” said Senator Martin.
“I find the violence to be particularly troubling as the attack took place blocks away from a local school while students tried to make their way home. British Columbians have been clear: they want their government to get tough on crime now more than ever. The recent shootings in Coquitlam and across the Lower Mainland confirm our mandate as a Government to take further action to strengthen our laws to combat crime. Protecting the safety and security of our communities is a priority and we as a Government need to work closely with opposition parties, especially representatives from B.C., to pass tougher laws to protect our communities,” said Senator Martin.
Senator Yonah Martin’s statement comes after a horrific act of gun violence took place in Coquitlam on Thursday afternoon. Multiple shots were fired near Como Lake Avenue and North Road around 2:30 in the afternoon. Six men have been taken into custody in relation to the shootout and a seventh man is on the run. The Coquitlam shooting is the most recent in a string of violent gun crimes in the Lower Mainland, there have been six accounts of gun violence in the area since January 27, 2009.
The Conservative Government of Canada passed the Tackling Violent Crimes Act in 2008. The Act delivers mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of committing violent crimes and also included measures to deter youth from joining gangs.
Other provisions passed by the Conservative Government include, new bail rules for serious weapon-related offences and new bail provisions which require those accuses of serious gun crimes to show why they shouldn’t be kept in jail while awaiting trial.