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 4. “Violence in Edmonton and Calgary is getting worse, fueled by drugs, illegal weapons, and the federal revolving-door bail policy of catch-and-release.”
Smith said 26 homicides have been committed in Edmonton over the last two years by criminals who were out on bail. She added that the city’s “average crime severity index” in its downtown core increased by 29 percent between July and December 2022….