One day after a man out on bail killed four people in a high speed car chase with police after stealing from the LCBO, the Peel Police Service Board in Ontario is pleading for the Liberal Party of Canada to address substantive bail reform.
In a letter addressed to Liberal Justice Minister Arif Virani, the Peel Police note their previous plea in February 2023 to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when they advocated for immediate changes to the bail system.
Their more recent letter highlights alarming trends, such as that of Darian Henderson-Bellman, a young woman who was murdered in Brampton by a repeat offender. Canada’s soft-on-crime justice system also saw a man charged last month for his fourth violent carjacking in just three years.
“We respect the constitutional rights concerning bail, but our current system requires immediate recalibration to prioritize community safety and prevent further victimization,” stated Nando Iannicca, Chair of the Peel Police Service Board.
The Board further expressed deep concerns about the low detention rates in firearms-related bail hearings and how offenders are able to exploit the bail provisions.
“The ongoing cycle of crime under the existing bail conditions is not only a threat to public safety but also erodes trust in our legal framework.”
Peel’s top police officials are said they’re actively seeking cooperation with federal and provincial authorities to fix the current bail system.
“The safety of our community cannot remain secondary to procedural limitations. We need a bail system that reflects the realities of today’s challenges, particularly with the rise in serious offenses such as auto thefts, which have become a significant issue in Peel,” Iannicca added.
Trudeau acknowledges bail system is too lax
Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that he plans to “move forward” on bail reform.
But some provinces, like Alberta, have recently announced provincial strategies to clean up the federal government’s mess.
Last September, Alberta Minister of Justice, Mickey Amery, told reporters that “the federal justice system is not holding individuals accountable.”
He said the United Conservative Party will create targeted units within the province’s crown prosecution service, which “will go after crime in Alberta’s largest cities, especially in matters involving violence and targeting repeat offenders.”
