The federal government’s bail and sentencing reform bill has become law, bringing more than 80 changes to the Criminal Code in a bid to address organized crime and violent and repeat offending.
The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, previously known as Bill C-14, received royal assent on June 15. The legislation amends the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the National Defence Act, aiming to make bail laws stricter and toughen sentencing laws for repeat and violent offenders.
The law creates new reverse onuses for major crimes such as auto theft, breaking and entering, human smuggling, and sexual assault. This means the accused would need to show why they should be released on bail, instead of prosecutors needing to prove the accused should be detained….