Council in North Bay is calling on Ottawa to make changes to so-called ‘catch and release’ justice.
The city is supporting a Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities motion seeking bail reforms.
FONOM officials have previously said the issue involves people being arrested and then let out on bail shortly after, only to be arrested again on other charges.
“I recognize that this is not just a policing problem, but a judicial problem,” says Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield. “These bail reform changes that are being proposed would allow the justice system to have more tools in their toolbox to keep our communities safe.”
The motion calls on the Federal Government to make the following legislative changes:
1. Create a designation of a chronic persistent offender.
2. Allow community impact statements at bail and at bail hearings.
3. Creating reverse onus in bail for all firearms offences.
4. All bail-related gun charges go to the superior court for bail release.
Horsfield says the resolution is one way for council to show that amending parts of the criminal code around bail reform are required.
