Feds announce plans for "targeted reforms" of bail system | FULL

Justice Minister David Lametti announced on Friday that the federal government, in discussion with the provincial and territorial governments, would work on "targeted reforms" of Canada's bail system which would address challenges posed by repeat violent offenders and crimes involving firearms, knives and bear spray.

The announcement came after he held a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts. During the same media availability following the meeting, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma added the federal government had committed to making the legislative changes as early as the spring.

All 13 premiers sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January calling on the feds to establish a "reverse onus" system for firearms and other offences, requiring a person seeking bail to show evidence as to why they should not stay behind bars.

Calls for reforms ramped up earlier this year in response to the killing of Ontario Provincial Police officer Const. Greg Pierzchala in December, after court documents showed one of the two people facing a first-degree murder charge in his death had initially been denied bail in a separate case, but was released after a review.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/9541733/canada-bail-reform-meeting-lametti/

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