Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, as well, Mr. Fortin, for checking to make sure the proceedings flow smoothly.
First, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
I want to thank Matthew Taylor, who is with me today.
I appreciate this opportunity to speak to the bail system in Canada and potential reforms to the system. I realize that it's an important issue and that Canadians are concerned. Ensuring that the laws are fair and effective, and keep Canadians safe while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is, of course, a priority for our government.
First, I would like to express my condolences to the families of Constable Greg Pierzchala, Michael Finlay and Katie Nguyen Ngo, and to all the victims of the disturbing incidents of violence across the country that we have seen in recent months. Each of these incidents has been a personal tragedy and a blow to our communities.
I'm pleased to see this committee undertaking a review of all aspects of bail in Canada. Canadians deserve to be and deserve to feel safe. We all have a role to play in protecting our communities.
I believe our bail system is strong and sound, but we are always open to suggestions for improvements, both in terms of law reform and ways in which we might better support the administration of justice and our police officers. The provinces have a key role to play in this issue. We have already seen British Columbia step up, and I am encouraged to see that Ontario and Manitoba are also taking steps to improve their systems.
I am looking forward to meeting with Minister Mendicino and with our provincial and territorial counterparts this Friday to discuss bail reform and how we can all work together, collaboratively, to make Canadians feel safe. I plan to present what we are considering at the federal level, and I hope to hear from my counterparts what they intend to do in their spaces.
In terms of the federal role, I want to reassure Canadians and emphasize that the law already tells us that, if individuals pose a significant threat to public safety, they should not be released on bail. There are no quick or easy solutions. That is why, at my direction, we began working on this issue months ago, again in collaboration with our provincial and territorial counterparts, to find solutions that will ensure the long-term safety of our communities.
It's important to note that there's a data gap that risks clouding the issue. On the one hand, we've heard the opposition cite data that crime is up, particularly from people released on bail. On the other hand, data from the Toronto police shows that between 2019-21, there was a decrease, both in the percentage of individuals granted bail and in the number of people rearrested while on bail.
Our government is always looking for ways to improve public safety and the efficiency of our justice system, so I feel it necessary to correct the considerable misinformation that has been put out regarding former Bill C‑75.
An act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other acts and to make consequential amendments to other acts, which emerged from Bill C‑75, is the product of lengthy and extensive co‑operation with the provinces and territories.
It codified the bail principles set out in binding Supreme Court of Canada rulings. I want to reiterate that the legislation did not make any fundamental changes to the bail system. It did not change the criteria under which an accused can be released by the court or the basic rules of the system. On the contrary, it created a reverse onus provision, making it harder for offenders to be granted bail when charged with certain offences, including intimate partner violence.
The claim that the recent tragic incidents we've seen in Canada are due to the statute arising from Bill C‑75 is just plain false. The issue is a lot more complex than can be addressed in a single piece of legislation, and to say otherwise is overly simplistic.
Our government's thoughtful examination of the bail system is ongoing, and we continue to work co‑operatively towards solutions that will protect our communities.
One measure that we are contemplating, which aligns with the request in the letter from the premiers, is to establish a reverse onus for additional offences. A reverse onus means that the accused will be denied bail unless they can prove to the court that their release would not pose a significant risk to public safety or undermine the public's confidence. This work is well under way.
I also want to note that there is already a reverse onus on a number of firearms offences, including where an accused who is subject to a weapons prohibition is charged with a firearms offence. However, it is worth considering carefully whether circumstances in which we impose a reverse onus should be expanded. I look forward to discussing this further with the provinces and territories later this week.
We've also heard calls from law enforcement for reform. I was pleased to have met with chiefs of police from across the country in February. I'm grateful for their recommendations based on their frontline experience.
Work is under way to develop legislative and non-legislative options to address the particular challenges of repeat violent offenders. I will also be raising these ideas with my colleagues on Friday.
We know that it will take more than a legislative reform to completely fix this problem.
Police need the necessary resources to monitor offenders who are out on bail and to arrest those who breach their release conditions. We have already provided significant funding and we are open to providing more where needed.
Also necessary are supports and services for mental health and addictions treatment. A social safety net is needed. The previous government cut social programs, and now we are seeing the very real and serious consequences of those cuts. Our government has made unprecedented investments in mental health, including $5 billion for the provinces and territories to increase access to care.
I commend our partners in British Columbia for the action they took on bail in November as part of their safer communities action plan, and in Manitoba for funding new prosectors to focus on serious firearms offences and violent crime.
I encourage all provinces to use the many existing tools at their disposal to ensure that bail laws are applied safely, fairly and effectively. I've already connected with a number of my counterparts on this issue, as well as with leadership from national indigenous organizations. I look forward to our continued discussions and collaboration.
Addressing the particular challenges posed by repeat violent offenders requires a comprehensive approach that crosses jurisdictions and levels of government. We will be acting at the federal level, and I hope that my provincial counterparts will be willing to do the same. The only way to solve this problem is by working together.
I'm hopeful that together we can build on months of joint work by federal and provincial officials and agree on a comprehensive plan forward.
We know there is no easy solution to such a complex problem. We strongly believe that we need to protect Canadians.
At the same time, we must ensure that any measures taken will not exacerbate the overrepresentation of indigenous peoples, Black or racialized Canadians in our jails. We must not further marginalize vulnerable people, including those struggling with mental health issues and addiction. It's a delicate balance, but one the government is committed to getting right.
Thank you.
