CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT IS GETTING IT DONE ON
BAIL REFORM FOR FIREARM OFFENCES

OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today welcomed the passage of Bill C-35, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (reverse onus in bail hearings for firearm-related offences) , in the House of Commons.  The Bill will now move to the Senate.

“As part of our commitment to tackle crime, we are moving forward on legislative changes that will make it harder for people charged with serious firearm offences to obtain bail,” said Minister Nicholson.

Under this Bill, a “reverse onus” would apply in cases involving:

• Any one of eight serious offences committed with a firearm such as: attempted murder, robbery, discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, kidnapping, hostage-taking, or extortion;
• Any indictable offence involving firearms or other regulated weapons if committed while under a weapons prohibition order; and,
• Firearm trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking or firearm smuggling.

Currently, a person charged with a serious firearms offence can be granted bail and allowed to roam the streets. Under Bill C-35, those charged with serious gun crimes will have to demonstrate to the court why they should not stay in custody until their trial.

These reforms will lower the risk that people charged with serious firearm offences may re-offend while out on bail. It will also reduce the risk that they may take flight to avoid facing trial for their charges.

“Gun violence on our streets must be curbed,” said Minister Nicholson. “It is high time to toughen the bail scheme. I’m proud that Canada’s New Government has been moving swiftly to tackle crime,” he continued.

Since taking office, Canada’s New Government has taken action to make our streets and communities safer by tabling legislation to restrict conditional sentences, i.e., house arrest, for serious crimes; increase mandatory penalties for serious gun-related crimes, better fight alcohol- and drug-impaired driving create tougher laws against street racing, and raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 years to protect youth from adult sexual predators.

For an online version of the legislation, visit www.parl.gc.ca.

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For more information:
Geneviève Breton
Director of Communications
Minister’s Office
613-992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957- 4207