Tag: bail reform

Middletown Mayor DeStefano Delivers State of the City Address

At a State of the City address on April 4, Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano reflected on the past year’s work while recounting challenges brought by state laws and expressing hope for future growth. The city’s crime went up in 2022 following years of decline, a trend in part brought by the bail reform and met head-on…


Alberta Premier Reiterates Call for Federal Bail Reform Amid Rising Violence

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is once again calling on the federal government to reform what she calls Canada’s “catch-and-release” bail system, saying that Ottawa’s lack of action on the matter is contributing to the rise of violent crime in Alberta’s major cities. “Enough is enough,” Smith said while speaking to reporters in Calgary on April…


Suspect in Fatal Stabbing of Quebec Police Officer Was on Parole

The man who allegedly fatally stabbed a Quebec police officer was on probation and had a history of mental health issues. Isaac Brouillard Lessard, age 35, had been previously accused of crimes on at least five instances and was later found not criminally responsible, due to reasons of mental illness. Brouillard Lessard fatally stabbed Maureen…


Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister Calls for Reverse Onus System for Weapons Offences

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre reiterated calls for bail reform during a Justice Committee meeting on Monday, which included a request for a new reverse onus system for weapons offences. “Police chiefs across the country are calling for reform. Sheriffs deployed to cities, downtowns, provinces are having to devote and deploy additional resources…


Ottawa Commits to ‘Targeted Reform’ of Bail System: Justice Minister

The federal government will move forward quickly on a “targeted reform” of Canada’s bail system, Justice Minister David Lametti said after meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts to discuss new bail legislation. “The reforms will address the challenges posed by repeat violent offenders, as well as offences committed involving the use of firearms and other…


Justice Minister Says Bail System ‘Strong and Sound’ Ahead of Meeting With Provinces to Discuss Reform

Justice Minister David Lametti said Canada has a sturdy bail system ahead of a meeting with provincial and territorial counterparts as calls for bail reform increase after the killing of an Ontario police officer. “I believe our bail system is strong and sound. But we are always open to suggestions for improvements, both in terms…


Brian Giesbrecht: Racially Based ‘Justice’ Is Built on Flawed Reasoning

Commentary Provincial justice ministers of Manitoba and Saskatchewan are urgently calling on the federal government to “convene a bail reform summit to address the increasing level of violence faced by Canadians.” Other provincial justice ministers have voiced similar concerns. What is going on? The immediate concern is bail reform. But it is part of an…


Bail Reform Only Way to Stop Violent Repeat Offenders, OPP Commissioner Tells Federal Committee

Jail and bail reform is the only effective way to protect the public from repeat, violent offenders, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Thomas Carrique told a federal justice committee Wednesday. “The public’s right to be protected from these offenders must be given far greater weight than is currently the case when bail matters are considered,”…


New York Sen. James Skoufis Talks State Budget Priorities

As the state budget talks entered their second week on Feb. 13, New York Democratic Sen. James Skoufis told The Epoch Times that his priorities included further bail reform, income tax cuts for the middle and working class, and fighting against the proposed payroll mobility tax raise.  Skoufis represents the 42nd Senate district, which encompasses…


Two Teen Girls Denied Bail in Fatal Toronto ‘Swarming’ Attack

A judge has denied bail for two of the eight teenage girls charged with murdering a homeless man in downtown Toronto in a “swarming” attack. Four of the other girls have already been released on bail and two are awaiting bail hearings later this week. Justice Maria Sirivar had reserved her decision following the two…