Alberta Premier Reiterates Call for Federal Bail Reform Amid Rising Violence

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gives an Alberta government update in Calgary on Jan. 10, 2023. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is once again calling on the federal government to reform what she calls Canada’s “catch-and-release” bail system, saying that Ottawa’s lack of action on the matter is contributing to the rise of violent crime in Alberta’s major cities.

“Enough is enough,” Smith said while speaking to reporters in Calgary on April 4. “Violence in Edmonton and Calgary is getting worse, fueled by drugs, illegal weapons, and the federal revolving-door bail policy of catch-and-release.”

Smith said 26 homicides have been committed in Edmonton over the last two years by criminals who were out on bail. She added that the city’s “average crime severity index” in its downtown core increased by 29 percent between July and December 2022.

“People are increasingly afraid, especially in downtown cores and on public transit,” she said.

The Alberta premier referenced a study conducted in March by research firm Ipsos that found over one-quarter of Canadians don’t feel safe while using public transportation alone.

The study also found that over 30 percent of respondents say they now stay “more alert” while using public transportation in wake of a series of violent attacks on Toronto’s transit system.

“The number one job of all governments is to keep the streets safe,” Smith said, adding, “The province is doing our part and it’s time the federal government did their part.”

“The time for delay is over and it’s time the federal government end the system of catch-and-release plaguing our communities and reform Canada’s bail system.”

Bail Reform

Smith’s call for bail reform comes after she and other premiers from all 13 of the country’s provinces and territories signed a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling for immediate federal action on the issue.

The premiers signed the letter on Jan. 13, just over two weeks after 28-year-old Const. Greg Pierzchala of the Ontario Provincial Police was shot and killed while responding to a routine call just outside of Hagersville, Ont. The primary suspect in Pierzchala’s murder was a repeat offender who had previously been released from prison and was out on bail.

The federal Conservative Party has also called on the Liberal government for swift bail reform, with the party’s public safety critic Raquel Dancho introducing a motion in February seeking such reforms. Dancho’s motion was defeated 205–116 on Feb. 6.

Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus introduced another bill on March 29 seeking to bring about “significant reforms to Canada’s Criminal Code and Corrections and Conditional Release Act.”

The Liberal government has said that it will soon be moving forward with a “targeted reform“ of the federal bail system, but has not yet released a timeline.

Justice Minister David Lametti said earlier in March that the reforms will address “challenges posed by repeat violent offenders, as well as offences committed involving the use of firearms and other weapons.”

The Canadian Press and Marnie Cathcart contributed to this report.