Bill C-14 proposes reforms to Canada’s bail and sentencing laws, including changes to reverse-onus provisions, bail conditions, sentencing factors, and restrictions on house arrest, to increase public safety.
Elgin-St. Thomas-London South MP Andrew Lawton, who sits on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, has put forth an amendment that will strengthen our criminal justice system by ensuring that criminals cannot vouch for people who have been criminally charged to be released on bail.
Lawton’s amendment was adopted this past week by the committee and bars anyone convicted of an indictable offence in the last 10 years from acting as a surety for another accused.
This was part of a series of measures the Conservatives put forward during review of Bill C-14.
Lawton’s amendment arose through consultations with local police, including St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp, who testified before the Justice Committee in the fall, at MP Lawton’s invitation.
Roskamp was allotted time to address the committee “on matters of deep concern to police leaders across Ontario and across Canada.”
It is the urgent need for meaningful and balanced bail reform, advised Roskamp.
He continued, “As the chief of the St. Thomas Police Service, a small to mid-sized growing community in southwestern Ontario, I appear before you not only as an Ontario police leader, but as a voice for St. Thomas residents, families and business owners who are living with the consequences of a system that in its current form is failing them.”
Roskamp added, “The core issue is this: our communities are increasingly and consistently being harmed by individuals who are repeatedly released into the public while facing serious charges, only to reoffend, often violently, while on bail.
“This is an important step towards fixing the broken bail system. I’m glad the Liberal government finally heeded the calls from communities across the country, including locally, to act.”
“Pretrial recidivism and chronic criminality are not abstract concepts. They are daily realities for frontline officers, for victims and for communities who are, quite frankly, begging police services for relief from violence and disorder.”
Lawton observed, “While Bill C-14 falls short in some areas, it is an important response to the growing problem of revolving door bail and catch-and-release justice, exacerbated by previous Liberal bills C-5 and C-75.”
Bill C-14 passed through the Justice Committee on Wednesday and will now go back to the House of Commons for a third reading before proceeding to the Senate.
In a media release, Lawton advised, “This is an important step towards fixing the broken bail system. I’m glad the Liberal government finally heeded the calls from communities across the country, including locally, to act.
“Members of the Justice Committee worked across party lines on this bill. I appreciate the support for my amendment, which will strengthen the bill and the justice system. I am thankful to our local police forces for their input and consultation on this bill and the broader issues in our justice system. I look forward to continuing to champion necessary reforms.”
“These updates are on the right track to ensure safer communities, improve police officer safety and strengthen accountability for chronic offenders.”
Chief Roskamp added, “Canada’s bail system has been under strain for years, and the proposed amendments to Bill C-14 appear to respond and reinforce the need for greater accountability to protect public safety.
“While further improvements are still needed, I am encouraged by the amendments that have been proposed and adopted. The Bill clarifies that the principle of restraint does not require release, introduces reverse onus provisions for serious violent offences, requires courts to consider the number and seriousness of outstanding charges, adds new aggravating factors to address repeat violent offenders, and prohibits individuals convicted of an indictable offence within the past ten years from acting as a surety.
“These updates are on the right track to ensure safer communities, improve police officer safety and strengthen accountability for chronic offenders.”
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CONSENSUS REACHED ON RYAN DAVIES PROJECT
At Monday’s (Feb. 2) meeting, city council unanimously approved the recommendations dealing with the Ryan Davies Project.
Specifically, the installation of lifesaving stations and associated safety signage at Lake Margaret, Pinafore Lake, and Waterworks Park, and the installation of commemorative signage recognizing Ryan Davies in connection with the city’s waterfront safety initiative.
When asked to comment on the recommendations, St. Thomas Fire Chief Dave Gregory observed, “Everything in this report, the Ryan Davies is very reflective on the messaging that we need to be out there.
“Having been there that day (at Lake Margaret) for that episode is something you’ll always remember.”
As for the locations of the life-saving stations at the three parks, Gregory stressed, “Those spots are great, as are the recommendations of what to have at those with the reach pole and the buoy.
“When we were trained for water rescue, ice rescue, one of the common themes was reach, throw, row, and go. That’s always the first thing.
“The first thing you want to do, you want to encourage self-rescue for the first thing. You want to talk to people, get their minds off of what’s happening. You’re talking to them. You’re trying to reach with the reach pole.
“It’s our intention to put everything in this spring so that everything is complete.”
“It’s a 24-foot pole, so you’re trying to reach for the person. If that’s out
of range, you’re throwing the 24-foot buoy out to them with a rope. And in all this time, we’re on our way with our boat and everything else, and you’re doing whatever you can.
“And we’re just reiterating those things that we’re going to do and then educating the public further on safety around water and safety around ice, too. We’re constantly telling people, no ice is safe ice.”
The unanimous vote to adopt the recommendations was in contrast to last May, when a recommendation was presented to council to not develop a Personal Floatation Device Bylaw or install ring buoys at Lake Margaret.
A motion was defeated 5-3, with councillors Jim Herbert, Jeff Kohler and Rose Gibson opposed to proceeding with any bylaw.
Mayor Joe Preston was absent from the meeting.
At Monday’s session, Coun. Gibson confessed, “When this first came about in May, I did vote against it, because I wasn’t too sure exactly what was being asked.
“I certainly appreciate the updated information on here, and I’m in favour of what’s being done.”
As to when all 10 life-saving stations will be in operation, Adrienne Lacey Griffin, Director of Parks and Recreation, advised, “It’s our intention to put everything in this spring so that everything is complete.”
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A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT FOR CITY CLERK MARIA KONEFAL
After nearly four decades at city hall, Maria Konefal announced this past week that she will retire on May 1.
The long-serving city clerk is spending her final months encouraging residents to get out and vote in the municipal election coming up this fall.
“I’ve always believed in the power of civic engagement,” advised Konefal. “I hope everyone takes the time to vote this year. Our community is stronger when every voice is heard.”
Mayor Joe Preston observed, “Maria has been an integral part of our city’s administration for close to four decades. Her professionalism, institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on St. Thomas.
“On behalf of council and the community, I want to sincerely thank Maria for her exceptional service and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.”
THE ROAD AHEAD FOR ST. THOMAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
On Monday’s (Feb. 9) city council agenda is an update on the city’s Strategic Plan with a specific focus on a future direction for St. Thomas Public Library.
Six areas of consideration are presented as follows:
1. St. Thomas Public Library should target a total supply of 56,270 square feet by the year 2036, thereby adding 29,270 square feet of space if its intent is to attain the Library Master Plan’s standard of 0.85 square feet per capita.
2. St. Thomas Public Library should continue to deliver library services out of its downtown branch, whereby it functions as a ‘main branch’ and is enhanced in a manner described in the 2022 Library Master Plan.
3. St. Thomas Public Library should construct a 10,000 to 15,000 square foot library branch by the year 2031, scaled to service a community-level catchment area. A location along or south of the Elm Street corridor is preferred, subject to discussions with the City of St. Thomas regarding a future community centre.
4. St. Thomas Public Library should construct another 10,000 to 15,000 square foot library branch between the years 2031 and 2036, subject to a future update to the Library Master Plan and confirmation of residential growth trends.
5. St. Thomas Public Library should continue to advocate for the inclusion of a library branch as part of any new community centre project undertaken by the City of St. Thomas, and continue to participate in planning, design and discussions regarding future community centres in St. Thomas.
6. St. Thomas Public Library should continue to engage with Elgin County Library to discuss implications of population growth in the city and surrounding areas on both library systems.
ONE TO WATCH
The Elgin County Ukrainian Community, through spokesperson Karen Southworth, is requesting an official city proclamation recognizing Feb. 24 as the fourth anniversary of the war against Ukraine.
She notes, “As this horrific war against a sovereign country, the Elgin County Ukraine Community continues to support our Ukrainian newcomers and the Ukrainians who have settled in our area.”
In an interview almost three years ago, Southworth stressed that the war is being cast as the largest refugee crisis of the 21st century. More than eight million refugees, mostly women and children, have fled their homes in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
St. Thomas and Elgin are aiding the cause by providing support to newcomers forced to flee the country.
Support in the form of housing assistance, host families, employment, English as a second language, mentoring and emotional support.
Southworth points out that a vigil will be held from 4 until 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Central United Church on Wellington Street.
The public is invited to attend.
THE ECHO CHAMBER
Responding to last week’s item on the Ryan Davies Project, Molly Swift forwarded the following thoughts.
“It’s encouraging to see safety finally prioritized at Lake Margaret, but we have to ask why taxpayers are footing a $12,000 bill to ‘retrofit’ basic safety into a lake that was a private developer’s marketing feature for 20 years.
“When the city assumed the lake in 2018, we effectively took on the long-term risk and maintenance costs while the developer walked away with the profit. Now, with the Jonas Park ‘surplus’ deal, we see the same pattern: the city facilitates land assembly for a developer, assumes the liability of new infrastructure, and then guts core heritage like the Emslie Grandstand to pay for it.
“We shouldn’t be in a position where we have to choose between saving a life and saving our history—that’s the direct result of allowing a developer to offload ‘recreational jewels’ without a proper plan for safety and maintenance from Day 1.”
Mary Jones-Trahan would like this question addressed.
“Why don’t we put dollars into the cemeteries that are being abandoned due to funding?”
Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope
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