The Ontario government has presented a set of proposals to the federal government for upcoming legislation aimed at strengthening bail reform and sentencing regulations. In a joint communication from the province’s solicitor general and attorney general on Monday, recommendations were made to enhance public safety.
The suggestions include reinstating mandatory minimum sentencing for severe offenses and eliminating bail eligibility for individuals accused of murder, terrorism, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, drug trafficking, criminal possession or use of restricted or prohibited firearms, as well as violent carjackings and home invasions. The letter emphasized the need for federal legislation to prioritize crime prevention and detain violent, repeat offenders.
This recent letter is part of Premier Doug Ford’s ongoing efforts to urge Ottawa to enact stricter bail provisions following notable incidents involving crimes allegedly committed by individuals released on bail. One such incident involved a 12-year-old boy charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in Markham earlier this month.
Ford expressed via social media that the letter to the federal government underscores Ontario’s demand for robust bail reform to ensure criminals remain incarcerated and communities remain secure. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner echoed the urgency for meaningful bail reform, emphasizing the current inadequacies in Canada’s bail system that allow repeat violent offenders to re-enter society.
Legislation is scheduled to be introduced in the House of Commons next month, as confirmed by Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree in response to Ontario’s letter. The communication reiterated Ford’s longstanding calls to limit bail grants for those awaiting trial.
In April, Ford criticized the broken bail system and expressed hope that Prime Minister Mark Carney would address reform for violent repeat offenders. The letter also proposes the utilization of ankle monitors as a bail condition for serious crimes and a “three-strikes” policy to deny bail to habitual offenders, aligning with demands from the federal Conservatives for individuals convicted of multiple serious offenses.