Trudeau says his government is looking at bail reform after premiers call for action
Global News
Trudeau said his government is looking at this proposal from the premiers "very carefully" because they want a system that ensures Canadians are safe.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is looking “carefully” and “quickly” at a letter Canada’s premiers sent him last week that called for reforms to the country’s bail system.
“There’s a real concern out there,” he acknowledged when speaking to reporters in Saskatoon on Monday.
Trudeau is taking heat from the premiers and from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who say that the federal government isn’t doing enough about repeat criminal offenders.
But criminal defence lawyers argue a focus on federal bail rules is misplaced, saying that provinces can do more to address such issues themselves and that any changes to bail rules will have consequences for people facing trial.
Premiers from all 13 provinces and territories signed a letter sent to Trudeau on Friday that argued the time for action on bail reform is now, and “our heroic first responders cannot wait.”
The letter, which was initiated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office, follows the late December killing of an Ontario Provincial Police officer, Const. Greg Pierzchala.
Court documents show that one of the officer’s two alleged killers, Randall McKenzie, was originally denied bail in a separate case involving assault and weapons charges, then later released.
The documents show a warrant was issued for McKenzie’s arrest after he didn’t show up for a court date in August.