Canada’s premiers have called on the federal government to review its recent changes to bail legislation, as it might not be closing the revolving door for charged individuals.
That was one of the asks from the Council of the Federation at the end of its two-day meeting in Halifax on Wednesday.
Premiers urge the federal government to consider any necessary changes, including further legislative amendments.
That sat well with NWT Premier R.J. Simpson, who has been calling for help in dealing with recidivism, especially when it comes to the illegal drug trade and the fentanyl additive which is killing many young adults.
“In the Northwest Territories, we’ve seen an increase in illicit drug use and organized crime — and we’ve actually seen a decrease in individuals being remanded. So, we saw a big increase in people getting out on bail; people who are arrested and then maybe released later that day and go out and commit another crime,” he told CKLB over the phone from Halifax.
“So, what has been called for, was a review of the changes that relates specifically to violent offenders and violent offenders. But in the territory, we’re also seeing a big increase in the types of crimes that are not just not just drug related crimes, but the associated crimes, things like property crime, and they’re having a big impact on communities, and especially the small communities that might be fly-in and remote. We need to ensure that is taken into account.
“There’s times when, we’re locking too many people up and there’s times when the pendulum swings the other way. And perhaps we’ve been a bit too lenient at the expense of public safety. I think that we might need a bit of a correction right now.”
Mark Baxter, president of the Police Association of Ontario, has stated not only does a ‘catch-and-release’ approach to bail place inadequate emphasis on protection of the public, it encourages escalating violent behaviour. That also ultimately adds more charges to an individual, which could have been prevented.
Premier Simpson stated he doesn’t want, “to lock everyone up and throw away the key.”
He’s responding to pleas made by communities of all sizes and from Indigenous governments.
Interestingly, the final four-page communique — which also listed Arctic security, healthcare and housing as major concerns — did not mention the terms Indigenous, Aboriginal, Metis or reconciliation.
Premier Simpson said everything he does is tied in with Indigenous relationships, and working with Indigenous governments.
At the Western Premiers’ Conference last month, Simpson highlighted the need for more actions to be taken to address increased crime, particularly drug trafficking.
“The premiers agreed that more must be done to strengthen the bail system to keep drug traffickers off the streets. We also recognized that we must continue to find innovative ways to address the root causes of crime and addiction, which are often based in trauma.”
Council of the Federation meeting with Canada’s premiers was held in Halifax. NWT Premier R.J. Simpson stands out from the crowd in rear at right. (Photo courtesy of Simpson’s office/Facebook)
