An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform)
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform). Royal assent December 5, 2023 (S.C. 2023, c. 30). First federal bail-reform legislation since the 2019 Bail and Other Reforms Act. Reverses the burden of proof onto the accused (requiring the accused to show why detention is not justified) for repeat violent offenders in specific bail-decision categories: any indictable offence involving a weapon if the accused was convicted of a similar offence in the previous 5 years; intimate-partner violence repeat offenders; and certain organized-crime offences. Came in response to a series of high-profile incidents involving accused on bail and joint federal-provincial-territorial pressure (the 'Project Devotion' OPP officer death and the August 2022 Ramsden Shadrach Norwich case in particular). Sponsored by Arif Virani as Minister of Justice.
Status
Quick learn
Makes it harder to get bail when you're charged with a serious violent offence involving a weapon, especially for someone who has been convicted of such an offence in the past five years. Followed a 2023 federal-provincial premiers' meeting on repeat-offender concerns.
Issues this bill touches
- Crime & Public Safety
Bail reform: reverses the burden of proof for repeat violent offenders and additional firearms offences in bail hearings.
Legislative history
- Introduced
Tabled in the originating chamber by the sponsor.
View source - First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
View source - Second reading
Second reading in the House of Commons.
View source - Third reading
Third reading in the House of Commons.
View source - First reading
First reading in the Senate.
View source - Second reading
Second reading in the Senate.
View source - Third reading
Third reading in the Senate.
View source - Royal assent
Royal assent received.
View source - Royal assent
Approved by both chambers and granted royal assent; now law.
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Sponsored by
Arif ViraniLIBERALOfficial source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada