Tougher bail, sentencing rules take effect July 15

By Your Southwest Media Group

Under new federal legislation, judges will no longer have the discretion to impose concurrent sentences for people convicted of certain serious crimes.

People found guilty of multiple offences at the same time, such as extortion, arson, violent auto theft, and break and enter, will have to serve their sentences one after another, consecutively, instead of concurrently, according to a recent federal Justice Department statement.

Judges will also have to consider imposing consecutive sentences for repeat violent offenders, the statement said about the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14).

"Premiers from every province and territory, as well as mayors and law enforcement who called for the bill's swift passage," supported the legislation, the statement said. Changes to bail and sentencing take effect July 15.

"With over 80 targeted changes to the Criminal Code, bail will be harder to get for repeat and violent offenders, and sentencing laws will be tougher for serious crimes," Justice Minister Sean Fraser said.

"Now that these changes are law, effective implementation will be essential," Fraser added, noting provinces and territories are responsible for carrying out the new rules.

The bill also addresses copper wire theft by making theft and mischief involving essential infrastructure a new aggravating factor during sentencing, the statement said.

"Escalating copper theft jeopardizes both public safety and essential infrastructure," it said.

Bail will become more difficult to obtain and sentencing laws will become stricter for violent and organized crime, home invasion, auto theft, and human trafficking, according to the statement.

People accused of some repeat and violent offences will face new reverse onus rules, meaning they must show why they should be released on bail.

Police must keep accused people in custody until their bail hearings when necessary to protect the public, including victims and witnesses, the statement said.

Judges must also consider additional factors at bail hearings, including whether the alleged violence was random or unprovoked. They must also consider whether an accused person has numerous or serious outstanding charges when deciding whether to grant bail and must consider imposing weapons bans in more cases.

Some amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act will come into force later through an order in council.

The federal government is also offering provinces and territories up to $250,000 to help improve national bail data collection, reporting and analysis, the statement said.