Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP tables bill to target criminals with serious offences
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KAMLOOPS — The member of parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo tabled a private members bill that would create a “presumptive detention” for those who are accused of three indictable offences with a maximum penalty of five years in prison or greater.
In a statement Thursday (May 19) morning, Frank Caputo says Bill C-274 would only target those that commit serious offences and give judges discretion to release when there are exceptional reasons to do so.
“The 2020 Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Zora 2020 changed the landscape of bail by making prosecution for breaches more difficult and by making detention awaiting trial exceptionally rare,” Caputo states. “This has had significant impacts on law enforcement and put serious strain on policing resources. Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Syd Lecky recently stated that approximately five per cent of all offenders are creating 90 per cent of their work. This is due to offenders being able to frequently reoffend for the same crime while awaiting trial.”
Caputo claims the Liberal government has ignored the R. v. Zora 2020 decision, and the outcries from municipalities and law enforcement to address this crisis.
