Peel Police Service Board - Letter to Minister Virani re: Bail Reform

April 27, 2024

The Honourable Arif Virani, MP

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Virani,

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Peel Police Service Board to address a pressing public safety concern that persists in the Region of Peel, and across Canada. Our past correspondences have consistently highlighted the urgent need to reform Canada’s bail system—an imperative increasingly supported by various stakeholders committed to enhancing community safety and well-being.

A particularly poignant illustration of this issue was the tragic death of Darian Henderson- Bellman, a young woman killed in Brampton, Ontario by an individual who had been granted bail multiple times despite clear violations of release conditions. Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident. We continue to witness similar scenarios where individuals on judicial interim release for violent crimes commit further severe offences, including carjackings, home invasions, and even homicides.

The remarkably low rate of detention orders in firearms-related bail hearings is a further concern. These offenders often exploit bail provisions and flaunt their freedom, leading to repeated charges for serious crimes. This cycle not only erodes public trust in our legal system but also emboldens criminal behavior and severely impacts community safety.

While we respect the constitutional right to reasonable bail and the presumption of innocence, it is crucial to recalibrate the balance of interests in bail decisions. We must prioritize the safety and well-being of victims and the community, alongside assessing the likelihood of reoffence by the accused. The current system requires evolution to avert further tragedies and interrupt the ongoing cycle of crime.

The Peel Police Service Board, together with Peel Regional Police, is dedicated to working with federal and provincial partners to forge comprehensive, effective solutions. These solutions should encompass legislative, policy, and resource adjustments and must be continuously evaluated for effectiveness with results shared publicly.