Justice Minister David Lametti (Image credit: the Canadian Press).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Here’s how to figure out if federal bail reform bill goes far enough

May 24, 2023 | 4:47 AM

THERE’S A FAIRLY SIMPLE WAY of figuring out if federal Justice Minister David Lametti’s bail reform bill will work.

After many months of pleading by community leaders and politicians at all levels, Lametti has finally introduced measures aimed at making it tougher for prolific offenders to win a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Among those who are skeptical it will succeed is Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo, who says that, while Lametti’s bill will toughen reverse-onus laws that put the burden on accused to show why they should get bail, it’s not tough enough.

While the bill targets repeat violent offenders who use weapons, and some firearms offences, Caputo says what’s needed is a change in the legal test for reverse-onus in general. This past weekend, Lametti insisted he’s limited with how far he can go due to constitutional restrictions.

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Time will tell who’s right, and whether the upcoming reforms will do the job. And there’s a way to find out.

Just over a year ago, the mayors of B.C.’s major cities — including Kamloops — wrote a letter to the B.C, government begging it to get on board with demanding changes that would do something about prolific offenders.

In the letter, they outlined some startling statistics about those offenders, many of whom had become regular visitors to the court system, only to be released on bail time after time. One of the answers, they said, was to do something about the bail system.

In the months that followed, then B.C. attorney-general David Eby promised a detailed study on the issue and said “creative solutions” were in the offing. Indeed, there’s been some tinkering around the edges, but the prolific-offenders problem continues.

Everyone knew all along the ball had to be in Ottawa’s court. How will we know if Lametti’s reforms work? Simply take all those stats provided by the B.C. mayors and compare them to what happens after the bill comes into effect.

It should be simple arithmetic.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.