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The federal government’s announcement about reforms to address the ongoing challenge of repeat and violent offenders across Canada acknowledge the long-standing concerns raised by communities, victims, and law enforcement, says Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP).
The Liberal government will introduce tougher bail and sentencing standards for violent crime in a bill being introduced next week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday, adding that he legislation would make bail more difficult to get for violent and organized crime offences.
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The bill would impose a reverse onus on bail for certain offences. That moves the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused — meaning they would have to justify being granted bail.
“These strong new reverse-onus bail provisions will apply to violent auto theft, break and enter, human trafficking and smuggling, assault and sexual assault, and extortion involving violence or violent threats,” Carney said.
The bill would also allow for consecutive sentences for violent and repeat offenders, so that multiple sentences can’t be served at the same time. Carney said that means an offender with a seven-year sentence and a five-year sentence must serve a total of 12 years, not seven.
He also said his government intends to “toughen sentences for repeat offenders of auto theft, of organized crime, and of home invasion, so that criminals who have repeatedly victimized your community do not have the chance to do so again.”
The Liberals also plan to introduce more punitive sentences for organized retail theft and eliminate conditional sentences for sexual assault.
In an Oct 18 statement, SACP also said police agencies across the province continue to witness first-hand the strain that repeat and violent offenders place on victims, families, and neighbourhoods.
“Prime Minister Carney’s announcement regarding forthcoming amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at addressing repeat violent offenders and organized crime-related offences represent important steps toward restoring confidence in our local and provincial justice systems” said Chief Patrick Nogier, President of the SACP in the statement.
“Especially as it pertains to expanded reverse-onus bail provisions, consecutive sentencing options, and enhanced penalties for organized theft.”
Nogier said in the statement that the association’s collective goal is to create safer communities for all Saskatchewan residents while upholding the principles of fairness, due process, and justice.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser told The Canadian Press the government developed the legislation based on suggestions from law enforcement and the premiers. Both of those groups have pushed for tougher bail laws.
Fraser said the government also heard from downtown business associations and municipal governments “about the need to address high-volume offenders who commit many crimes that may not always be violent but are calling into question for many Canadians whether they feel safe going out in their communities.” He said “a lot” of those concerns would be reflected in the bill.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has praised the announcement, calling it “a welcome signal that the federal government is listening to the concerns of municipalities.”
Federation president Rebecca Bligh said in a press release bail reform is “an important step toward addressing the public safety challenges communities are facing. Local police are repeatedly arresting the same individuals, emergency services are stretched thin, and residents are feeling the impact.”
Members of the SACP include the executive officers of all municipal police services, the RCMP “F” Division, CN and CP police services, as well as executive officers of the Ministry of Environment Investigation & Enforcement Unit and Conservation Services Unit.
Also members are the assistant deputy minister, executive directors, directors and managers of the Ministry of Corrections and Policing, the chief and deputy chief coroner of the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, the director of court security, executive director of the Saskatchewan Police Commission, and the director and assistant Director of the Saskatchewan Police College.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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