FONOM calls on governments to work on bail reform
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) says the temporary suspension of Ontario’s new cash bail requirements provides an opportunity for Ottawa and Queen’s Park to collaborate on bail reform.
Officials say an Ontario Superior Court judge has granted an injunction while the court considers a constitutional challenge.
They say the new rules would have required an accused person or their surety to provide the full cash security deposit ordered by the court within two business days of release.
FONOM says it recognizes the injunction is temporary but adds the public-safety concerns that led to these reforms remain unresolved.
“The constitutional questions surrounding Ontario’s new requirements must be taken seriously, but so must the concerns being raised by municipalities, police services and victims,” said FONOM President Dave Plourde. “During this pause, the federal and provincial governments should work together to develop a bail-reform solution that respects the responsibilities of both levels of government and can withstand a constitutional challenge.”
FONOM says Northern municipalities continue to experience the effects of violent and repeat offenders cycling through the justice system and is concerned about a lack of accountability within the current surety system.
“A surety is supposed to accept responsibility for supervising an accused person and helping ensure that bail conditions are followed,” says Plourde. “When the same surety can reportedly be used repeatedly without meaningful consequences following additional arrests, it raises serious questions about whether the current system is working as intended.”
He adds this should not become another jurisdictional dispute between governments, with both sharing a responsibility to protect the public and maintain confidence in the justice system.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
