Manitoba continues to lead the nation in reforming our bail system by joining with the Council of the Federation to call on Prime Minister Mark Carney to take swift action to keep Manitobans safe.
“We won’t stop our advocacy to the federal government to improve bail reform in this country,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “Our voice is stronger together and we’re pleased other premiers have joined our call to reform bail. It’s the right thing to do, especially for Manitoban families and the family of Kellie Verwey.”
In the joint letter to the prime minister and justice minister and attorney general of Canada, organized by the government of Manitoba, the provinces recognized the changes brought in as part of Bill C-48 but emphasized more action needs to be taken. The scourge of violence perpetrated by someone on bail has continued, noted Wiebe, such as the recent death of Manitoban Kellie Verwey who was allegedly killed by a man who was out on bail after violating multiple bail conditions. The government of Canada needs to amend the criminal code to make bail and sentencing laws stricter to respond more appropriately to the range of violent crimes and improve the monitoring and evaluation of Canada’s bail system, added the minister.
“Our government’s five-point bail plan is making a real impact in Manitoba, along with our electronic monitoring program,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. “But the federal government needs to do their part to keep Manitobans and all Canadians safe. We’ll continue to push for these important changes until these tragedies are left in the past.”
The letter was signed by all members of the Council of the Federation and follows previous advocacy to the federal government to strengthen bail conditions in Manitoba and Canada, noted Wiebe.
