Today, Mayor Scott Gillingham issued the following statement on the passage of Bill C-14:
After many months of debate and amendment — and advocacy from cities like Winnipeg — Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, received Royal Assent and became law yesterday. This legislation gives the justice system important new tools to help protect the public, including:
- More flexibility for judges to take action to protect the public.
- A reverse onus rule so high-risk offenders must persuade judges why they deserve bail, instead of a defaulting to release.
- Tougher consecutive sentences for offenders convicted of multiple serious crimes.
- A federal commitment to gather and share more data to track outcomes for bail and sentencing.
Here in Winnipeg, this law can be a critical tool in addressing repeat violent offenders who have caused real harm in our community. It also reflects many months of constructive advocacy from municipalities, police leaders, community members, and others who have been calling for change.
I want to thank my colleagues who worked together to push for these reforms, including Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox, and Councillor Kathy Valentino of Thompson in her role as First Vice-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. I also want to thank every Winnipeg resident who took the time to make the case for change to their representatives by phone, email, or letter.
Most importantly, I want to thank Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister Sean Fraser, the Government of Canada and members of the House of Commons and the Senate from all parties for prioritizing this legislation. From the moment he received our first letter on this issue, Minister Fraser listened carefully to the concerns raised by Manitoba mayors, and the legislation reflects that.
Federal data shows that while recidivism rates have generally declined over the past 10 years, offenders with 10 or more prior convictions remain much more likely to be reconvicted within three years than those with fewer prior convictions. I look forward to working with provincial and federal officials to ensure this legislation is implemented in a way that addresses that reality, protects the public, and makes our communities safer.