Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at tackling crime by implementing stricter sentencing guidelines and making it more challenging to obtain bail. The proposed reforms, part of Carney’s law and enforcement agenda outlined during his election campaign, include the hiring of 1,000 additional RCMP officers.
Carney emphasized the focus on removing violent criminals and repeat offenders from the streets through the upcoming legislation. The proposed changes will require repeat offenders facing charges related to serious crimes such as home invasions, violent car theft, assault, sexual assault, extortion, or human trafficking to demonstrate their eligibility for bail, shifting the burden of proof onto the accused.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s intentions to enhance penalties for repeat offenders involved in auto theft, organized crime, and home invasions to prevent them from reoffending. The legislation will allow courts to impose consecutive sentencing for violent and repeat offenders.
Addressing concerns about the legality of consecutive sentencing, Carney assured that the government consulted with constitutional experts, law enforcement agencies, and justice ministers across the country to ensure the proposed legislation aligns with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Additionally, the new measures will eliminate conditional sentencing for individuals convicted of sexual offenses, preventing them from serving their sentences at home or in the vicinity of the crime scene.
In response to the announcement, the Conservatives criticized Carney’s plans, advocating for the passage of their Jail Not Bail Act (Bill C-242) introduced in September. They condemned the Liberal government’s approach as lenient towards criminals and pledged to prioritize victims’ rights in the justice system.
Carney’s commitment to recruit 1,000 new RCMP personnel over four years comes with a price tag of $1.8 billion. The initiative also includes increasing the RCMP cadet recruitment allowance to $1,000 per week and allocating resources for 150 additional RCMP personnel to combat financial crimes such as money laundering, online fraud, and the recovery of illicitly acquired assets.