Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans for the Liberal government to present new legislation aimed at combating crime through stricter sentencing measures and tightening the criteria for bail approval. This initiative aligns with Carney’s law and enforcement agenda outlined during his spring election campaign, which includes a commitment to recruit 1,000 additional RCMP officers.
The proposed legislation, to be introduced by the Minister of Justice in the upcoming week, will focus on reforms concerning bail and sentencing to remove violent criminals and repeat offenders from the streets. Carney emphasized the need to address issues related to bail reform, citing concerns about the current system being ineffective in detaining individuals with extensive criminal histories pending trial.
Under the forthcoming legislation, repeat offenders facing charges related to serious crimes such as home invasions, violent car theft, assault, sexual assault, extortion, or human trafficking will be required to demonstrate their eligibility for bail, shifting the burden of proof to the accused. This approach deviates from the existing system where prosecutors are tasked with justifying the denial of bail.
Carney also disclosed the government’s intention to enhance penalties for recurrent offenders involved in offenses like auto theft, organized crime, and home invasions to prevent them from re-victimizing communities. The legislation will empower courts to implement consecutive sentencing for violent and repeat offenders.
Regarding the legality of consecutive sentencing, Carney assured that the government consulted constitutional experts, law enforcement agencies, and justice ministers nationwide to ensure the legislation’s compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Additionally, the proposed law will eliminate conditional sentencing for individuals convicted of sexual offenses, prohibiting them from serving sentences under house arrest or in proximity to the crime scene.
Despite Carney’s announcements, the Conservative party criticized the initiative, advocating for their own proposed legislation, the Jail Not Bail Act (Bill C-242), which they believe should be prioritized for implementation. The Conservatives argued for a shift away from what they termed as “hug-a-thug” policies, asserting the need for a justice system that prioritizes victims’ rights and enhances public safety.
Carney’s commitment to recruit 1,000 new RCMP personnel over a four-year period comes with a price tag of $1.8 billion. The plan includes increasing the RCMP cadet recruitment allowance and allocating resources for an additional 150 RCMP officers dedicated to combating financial crimes, including money laundering, online fraud, and asset recovery.