“New Canadian Bail Conditions Aim to Improve Public Safety, But More is Needed
The recent amendments to the Criminal Code under Bill C-48 have been hailed as a significant step toward improving public safety in Canada. These changes now require certain accused criminals to prove why they should be granted bail, rather than the reverse on the part of prosecutors. This expansion of cases covered by the “reverse onus” now includes more firearms and weapons offences, as well as more circumstances where a person is accused of intimate partner violence.
Not a Blanket Solution
Vancouver criminal lawyer Sarah Leamon acknowledged the importance of these changes in keeping serious and violent offenders off the streets. However, she emphasized that the new bail conditions will not apply to every case, noting that it specifically targets individuals who have committed serious, violent offences involving weapons or intimate partner relationships. This clarification highlights that the changes are not meant to apply to lower-level crimes or non-violent offences.
Mixed Reactions
While some experts, like Vancouver Deputy Police Chief Howard Chow, view this as a positive step in the right direction, others see limitations to the impact of the new bail conditions. Battered Women’s Support Services executive director Angela Marie MacDougal expressed satisfaction with the recognition of intimate partner violence in the new measures. Still, she noted that the changes will only affect a small portion of such cases since most incidents of intimate partner violence are never reported to the police.
A Call for Further Action
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog welcomed the changes but emphasized the need to go further by implementing secure, involuntary care for offenders dealing with addiction, mental health issues, and trauma. He stressed the importance of long-term care and treatment for chronic offenders as a more effective solution in certain cases. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma sees the new measures as a supplement to other provincial initiatives aimed at public safety, which include increased funding for police and mental health services, as well as B.C.’s Repeat Violent Offender initiative.
Conclusion
While the new bail conditions are a step in the right direction, it is evident that they are not a blanket solution to all criminal cases. The need for further action, particularly in addressing lower-level crimes and providing services for prevention and victims, is apparent. As society continues to grapple with issues of public safety and justice, a multi-faceted and holistic approach must be taken to adequately address the various complexities of criminal cases and their impact on the community.”
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