Replace Canada’s bail laws

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government to replace bail laws to keep streets safe from violent repeat offenders. The government responds that Bill C‑14 was enacted to strengthen bail with reverse onuses and tougher conditions.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS Crime is out of control; Dangerous repeat offenders are quickly put back into our communities under catch and release policies of Bill C-75; Car thefts, violence, drug deaths and gang crime are up; Violent crime has increased by 50%; Violent gun crime has increased by 116%; 256 people were killed in 2022 by a criminal who was out on bail; Police are left powerless. THEREFORE We, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to replace current bail laws to maintain safety on our streets.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY PATRICIA LATTANZIO Everyone deserves to live in a society where they are safe and where they have confidence that the criminal justice system will protect them and work as intended. The Government is aware of ongoing concerns from people in Canada regarding the adequacy of the bail system in addressing repeat and violent offending. This is why, on October 23, 2025, the Government introduced Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act. It received Royal Assent on June 15, 2026. This Act strengthens Canada’s bail laws to better address organized crime, as well as violent and repeat offending at the bail stage, among other changes. These reforms were developed in close collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, as well as key criminal justice system stakeholders, including law enforcement. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act created several new reverse onuses, including for violent and organized crime-related auto theft, as well as for repeat, violent offending. A reverse onus is a departure from the general approach to bail as it shifts the onus from the prosecutor to the accused to demonstrate to the court why they should not be denied bail. A reverse onus effectively makes it more difficult for accused persons to obtain bail. The Act also amends provisions governing bail conditions to require bail courts to impose, or consider imposing, specified conditions of release in certain cases. Conditions of release serve to manage the risks posed by an accused who is released on bail, since a breach can result in their bail being revoked and be detained in pre-trial custody. A bail breach can also lead to new criminal charges under section 145 of the Criminal Code, which are punishable by a term of up to two years imprisonment. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act makes bail more onerous for those charged with car theft or any organized crime-related offence. For instance, bail courts are required to impose a firearm and weapon prohibition, unless it is not needed for the protection of any person, and to consider imposing a non-communication order, geographic limitation or electronic monitoring, if requested by the Attorney General, when granting bail to anyone charged with any organized crime-related offence. Bail courts are also required to consider imposing a geographic limitation, a prohibition on possessing a break-in instrument or a curfew when granting bail to anyone charged with car theft. These reforms, along with the other targeting bail reforms contained in the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, enhance public safety and improve public confidence in the bail system. Canada’s bail system is a shared responsibility between the provinces and territories and the federal government. While the federal government is responsible for enacting criminal law and procedure, including the Criminal Code provisions that govern bail, the provinces and territories are responsible for the administration of justice. Provincial governments conduct most bail hearings, monitor and enforce bail conditions, and administer remand facilities where accused persons are held when denied bail. All orders of government have a essential role to play in ensuring that our bail system operates as intended. Law reform is one important part of maintaining and enhancing public safety; programs, but policies and investments are also critical to fostering safer communities. This includes provincial and territorial investments to enhance bail supervision and enforcement, as well as improved access to housing, and to mental health and substance use supports. The Government is also investing significant resources to combat crime and prevent violence from happening in the first place. In 2022, the previous government announced new support through the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) to assist municipalities and Indigenous communities in addressing the root causes of gun and gang violence. In spring 2023, the previous government committed $390 million over five years to provinces and territories through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, bringing the total investment to over $640 Million from 2022 to 2028. This funding supports a range of initiatives, including prevention programs and law enforcement activities. These investments build on the success of the earlier Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence, announced in 2017, through which provinces and territories received $215 million in funding.