Mayor Scott Gillingham today released the first in a series of Repeat Offenders Bulletins to highlight the urgent need for federal bail and sentencing reform.
The inaugural bulletin tells the story of a Winnipeg offender who – still just in his mid-twenties – was convicted of 24 violent crimes over 11 years and violated bail or probation conditions 12 separate times.
The most recent cycle shows how the pattern continues to escalate:
- April 2021: Individual commits shooting, police oppose bail but offender is released.
- June 2021: While on bail for the shooting, commits carjacking.
- 2021-2023: Despite repeated police objections to bail, offender continues to be released and reoffend, creating additional victims.
"If this person had not been released on bail for the shooting charge in April 2021, they wouldn't have been free to commit the carjacking that followed just weeks later," said Mayor Gillingham. "That's the reality of weak bail laws – violent crimes that could have been prevented are being committed in our communities."
This case, which the Mayor first highlighted in his State of the City address in March, exemplifies how current bail laws are failing to protect Winnipeg residents from repeat violent offenders.
A wider pattern of risk
The bulletin also highlights troubling recent statistics. In August 2025 alone, 178 individuals who were already wanted on warrants or for violating bail or probation conditions were arrested for new charges.
Even more concerning: seven of those new assault charges involved attacks on people the accused were specifically ordered not to contact.
"When a judge imposes a condition that's meant to protect a vulnerable person, it has to mean something," said Gillingham. "Seven alleged breaches in one month shows how badly the system is failing victims."
As with all criminal matters, individuals accused of offences are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Video link - https://youtu.be/3jh1kiozFWg