Ottawa’s bail and sentencing reform is now law, targeting ‘frequent’ issues (opens original article in a new tab)

Ottawa's bail and sentencing reform law, targeting frequent issues like auto theft and violent crimes, is now in effect with 80 changes to criminal laws, including a reverse onus for repeat offenders and stricter conditions for certain offences.

• Bail and sentencing reform law now in effect with 80 changes to Criminal Code, YCJA, and National Defence Act.
• New reverse onus for repeat offenders to prove why they should be released on bail, with stricter conditions for certain offences.
• Courts must consider random or unprovoked violence in bail decisions and apply aggravating factors for repeat violent offenders.
• Federal government provides financial support to provinces for standardized bail data collection and addresses judge vacancies with provincial autonomy.