Mr. Chair, I also want to touch base on the issue of crime.
We all know that we went through an election here recently. What I heard from people at the door was completely different. They are really scared. Canadians are increasingly worried about their safety. Whether it be break-ins, car theft, gang violence or drug trafficking, people are feeling the effects of failed Liberal policies every single day. Even in Brampton, families are living in fear. Crime is no longer the exception. It's becoming the norm they face every single day.
This is not just perception. I would like to bring in some data here. In 2023, auto theft claims hit $1.5 billion nationwide, a staggering 254% increase since 2018. Ontario alone saw vehicle thefts skyrocket by 48% in just two years. Tens of thousands of cars are stolen annually. That comes from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Firearm-related violence also surged to its highest level on record, with nearly 14,000 violent gun incidents across Canada. Communities in Ontario, New Brunswick and B.C. were hit the hardest. That's from Statistics Canada.
Gang violence is out of control. In 2023, almost a quarter of all homicides were gang-related. Even more alarmingly, 31% of homicide suspects were under the age of 18. That's nearly double the previous year's rate. That's also from Statistics Canada.
In the Peel region, police made the largest drug bust in their history, but six of the nine accused dealers are already out on bail.