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.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Here is my final question for you. Would you urge all parties to pass Bill C-14 as soon as possible to protect Canadians?
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Thank you.
My next question goes to Mr. Atlas.
Looking specifically at the bill's bail reform for repeat and violent offences, can you acknowledge how these changes strengthen the ability of the courts to better manage risks in communities, including in transit systems?
Honorary Counsel, Canadian Urban Transit Association
Really, the suggested change we're talking about is just for transit workers and to try to make sure the Criminal Code recognizes transit workers in the same way it recognizes transit operators.
To answer your question, I don't speak for CUTA on this issue, as it's outside the bounds of CUTA, but I would agree that it does help municipalities.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
You represent transit agencies that work closely with municipal and provincial partners. How important is it that provinces and local governments play their part in enforcement supports and implementation rather than expecting federal bail reform alone to solve all the complex transit safety issues?
Honorary Counsel, Canadian Urban Transit Association
It's critical. This is about a multidisciplinary approach. It takes everyone to assist in ensuring that you have a safe public transit system. That's all levels of government and enforcement, as well as Criminal Code amendments.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Here is my final question for you. Would you agree that moving forward with targeted workable reforms like those in Bill C-14 is preferable to delaying actions in pursuit of broader changes that may sound tougher but that risk not delivering real improvement for transit workers?
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Would you urge all parties to pass Bill C-14 as soon as possible?
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Thank you.
My final question goes to Ms. Valentino.
Municipalities are often on the front line when it comes to the impact of repeat and violent crime. Can you explain why the Association of Manitoba Municipalities publicly welcomes Bill C-14 and why this bill and sentencing reforms matter for community safety?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
We're hearing first and foremost from residents of Manitoba municipalities. AMM did research, a survey, and it was clear that nine out of 10 members of our public are feeling unsafe. We support this wholeheartedly because we see repeat offenders repeatedly doing crime in our communities.
Also, as stated before, our RCMP and frontline workers are being subject to these repeat offenders. If there are stronger conditions for them, if they are a repeat offender, so they do not get out, then we'll be able to have more resources and boots on the ground with the RCMP to keep our municipalities safer. The feeling right now is that our streets are unsafe because of repeat offenders.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Thank you very much.
We have about seven minutes left. I'm going to give Mr. Fortin his two and a half minutes, and then I'm going to give Mr. Baber and Ms. Dhillon three minutes each.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Sauvé, in your testimony, you talked about how important it is for police officers to have enough information to do their job.
To your knowledge, are there any statistics or figures on the recidivism rate of people released on bail compared with the recidivism rate of people who have been convicted and served a sentence?
President, National Police Federation
Yes and no. It depends on the location. For example, if someone reoffends in a city like Montreal, we have all the local information. However, if they move to another jurisdiction, it becomes problematic, even when going from Quebec to Ontario, from Ontario to Manitoba or from British Columbia to Alberta. It's really a matter of information sharing between the provinces.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I imagine it would be important to set up a program that makes it possible to share that information.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you.
Ms. Valentino, I don't want to blame you, so don't take it that way, but municipalities—whether in Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario or anywhere else—are grappling with these repeat offences and violent crimes. Earlier, I was talking to Mr. Sauvé about the importance of constructive and effective rehabilitation of inmates, which isn't always there, unfortunately.
In your opinion, why aren't municipalities or provinces investing enough in rehabilitating people? Is it just a matter of financial resources, or are there other reasons?
President, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
I think that speaks clearly to the notion that all orders of government have to make this work and have a bit of skin in the game—the federal government, the provincial governments and the municipalities also.
If we're talking about some kind of reform or program, the municipalities are already doing that on their own and on their own dime for their taxpayers. They're creating programs in their communities to try to get at-risk youth to do low-cost recreational things. They're already trying programs for the rehabilitation of criminals to keep their streets safe.
Bloc
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Unfortunately, I don't make the rules. I just have the unenviable task of enforcing them.