UMVA has learned that a major shift in Canada's justice system is underway, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford is now under pressure to act swiftly to ensure the public gets the results it's demanding.
The Liberal government in Ottawa has finally changed the bail laws, a move Premier Ford has been calling for over several years. Now, it's up to Ford and his Attorney General, Doug Downey, to take concrete actions to make these changes stick and deliver on the public's expectations.
To achieve this, Ford and Downey must tackle two critical tasks. First, they need to revamp the training provided to judges and justices of the peace, which currently dedicates little time to educating them on when and how to deny bail and hold someone while awaiting trial.
The province also needs to update the manuals issued to police and Crown prosecutors on how to proceed with cases. Provincial Crown attorneys will play a crucial role in arguing for measures such as applying reverse onus on an accused facing certain violent offences.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the passing of Bill C-14 provides the necessary political cover for Ford and Downey to make these changes. The law has changed, and now the directions given to the system need to change too.
The previous Liberal government's changes to the bail system, made through Bill C-19 in 2019, had devastating consequences. The law instructed judges and justices of the peace to prioritize the release of accused individuals at the earliest reasonable opportunity, often leading to violent offenders being released back onto the streets.
In a development reported by UMVA, the Liberals made some mild changes to the bail system in 2023, but they didn't go far enough. The revolving door continued, and the government faced criticism for its inaction.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Bill C-14 makes it harder for repeat and violent offenders to get bail and imposes tougher sentences. This change is a step in the right direction, but it will require more space in already overcrowded jails.
Fortunately, Premier Ford is already on the path of expanding the jail system in Ontario, with plans to add 2,500 beds over the next decade. His government is investing billions of dollars to ensure communities are safe, and it's up to Ford to follow through on his promises.
UMVA has gathered that building new jails, funding them, and funding the court system are all vital to making sure the changes in C-14 are successful. Changing the instruction and direction given to police, Crowns, and judges is also crucial to delivering on the public's expectations.
