Evidence of meeting #16 for Justice and Human Rights in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was see.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
We are, but it's not just bail reform. It's the “bail and sentencing” reform package. That's the title of Bill C-14. If you don't want to opine on that, Mr. Sauvé, that's fine.
Do you think the government missed the mark in not legislating in Bill C-14 consecutive sentences for child sexual offenders?
President, National Police Federation
I would love to see consecutive sentences. As you know, Justin Bourque was the recipient of consecutive sentences, which were overturned to be concurrent sentences not less than a year and a half ago.
From that perspective, I would prefer to see consecutive sentencing for egregious crimes.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Do you think the government missed the mark in not legislating in Bill C-14 any push-back against the Supreme Court of Canada's odious ruling that consecutive periods of parole ineligibility constitute cruel and unusual treatment for those convicted of a number of first-degree convictions?
President, National Police Federation
Parole eligibility and ineligibility is a broad topic. We're actually on record as talking about mandatory parole and the conditional sentencing and release act and how that should be looked at and modified. Perhaps Canadians would feel safer if they knew that offenders, especially violent offenders, were mandated to spend their entire sentence behind bars, versus being eligible after 66% of it.
Conservative
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for taking the time to be with us this morning and helping us do our work on this very important piece of legislation.
My first questions will be directed to you, Ms. Valentino.
You've spoken in support of targeted and workable reforms from a municipal perspective. How important is it that Parliament focus on measures like clearer bail direction and expansive reverse onus for repeat violent offenders, rather than the broad changes that may sound tough but don't deliver on the ground?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
For Manitoba municipalities in particular, that's very important. We want strength for the reverse onus to happen because we're seeing more that it's the repeat offenders who are continually getting out quicker and creating crime in our communities.
I think it's important for Manitoba municipalities that this part of the bill is looked at, absolutely. You also have to work in partnership with the provincial government to ensure it works downwards to the municipalities through the province.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
We have that loud and clear: It's collaborative work between federal, provincial and municipal governance.
Some critics argue that Bill C-14 does not go far enough. Based on your experience in representing local governments, how do you respond to the claims that this legislation is limited in making a real difference in our communities across the country?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
Bill C-14 is far more than what we have now and it will definitely make a difference in our communities in Manitoba.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Municipal leaders such as you are responsible for community safety but do not control criminal law. How does Bill C-14 help to give municipalities greater confidence that repeat violent offenders will be dealt with more effectively by the justice system?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
We feel that it will free up our RCMP so they'll have more boots on the ground and a presence in our communities and will start to do more proactive policing, working in partnership with municipalities on some of the programming that municipalities are paying for and are doing, such as having community safety officers.
It will definitely make a difference in our municipalities, for sure.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
In your opinion, how does Bill C-14 strike the right balance between strengthening accountability for serious offences and ensuring decisions remain fair, practical and legally sound?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
I'm not in the justice system, so I can't say how that would work in parallel. I know that as municipalities, we feel that Bill C-14 is going in the right direction moving forward. The data and what comes of it we will see in the difference in crime on our streets. We'll be able to see how it's working.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
What would you say to Parliament about the importance of moving Bill C-14 through committee efficiently so municipalities and communities can see these changes implemented without unnecessary delays?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
We want the committee to move this bill forward very promptly and very quickly. In some of the real-life examples that I've spoken to, innocent people are now dying because of repeat offenders getting out quickly. It will make a difference quickly and lives will be saved if we can move this bill forward to make our streets safer, especially in Manitoba, which I'm speaking for.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you.
Mr. Sauvé, I'm going over to you.
In your opening remarks, you spoke about resources. Bill C-14 is one step toward a broader public safety solution. You have also spoken about the need for better coordination and resources.
Can you explain why it is important that provinces and territories also play their roles in implementing these reforms in supporting police?
President, National Police Federation
Certainly, and I'll use one simple example.
I was in New Brunswick a couple of months ago, and their pretrial detention facilities are running at 153% occupancy. A judge, a judicial justice of the peace or a Crown will have to take that into consideration as they think about bail and maintaining someone in custody or releasing them on bail. There are not enough places to put offenders pretrial. That's a requirement for provincial investment, but it could also be a federal leadership thing where you guys take the ball and start running with it.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
You have identified the need for better data sharing and better monitoring of accused on release. In this context, how important are the bail and sentencing changes we see now in Bill C-14 to improving outcomes for both victims and frontline officers when coupled with these suggested supports?
President, National Police Federation
We're not at the information-sharing stage yet. There's some form of real-time cross jurisdictional aspect. As my fellow witness mentioned, crime does not respect municipal or provincial boundaries. Having court systems that don't talk to each other between Manitoba and Alberta, where a police officer in Calgary or Winnipeg cannot see what court provisions, court enforcements or bail provisions have been stayed or are still outstanding, has an impact on crimes that are committed in cross-jurisdictional areas.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Finally, Mr. Sauvé, what would you say to this committee about the urgency of moving Bill C-14 forward so that police services can begin using these updated tools immediately and communities can see improved safety without unnecessary delays?
President, National Police Federation
I think it's urgent that you get it done.
