Open letter to provincial and territorial governments

Dear colleagues:

The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act has received Royal Assent and is now law in Canada. With more than 80 targeted changes to the Criminal Code, the federal government has fulfilled its commitment to making bail laws stricter and strengthening sentencing laws.

The primary reason I write is to say thank you for your contribution to these important changes, and for the meaningful support of this law amongst Premiers across the country. These sweeping reforms reflect extensive consultation and close collaboration with partners, including you and your government. We considered that feedback carefully and worked hard to reflect those perspectives in this legislation. The result: a stronger Criminal Code.

Bail will be harder to get for repeat and violent offenders, including in cases involving serious offences such as auto theft, home invasion, human trafficking, organized crime-related offences, and violent extortion. Sentencing laws will also be tougher for serious crimes, through consecutive sentences and restrictions on house arrest for certain sexual offences, including sexual offences against children.

These changes come into force in 30 days, so effective and timely implementation across the justice system will be essential. Provinces and territories are responsible for administering and resourcing key parts of that system, including policing, prosecution services, bail courts, bail supervision programs, provincial and territorial courts, jails, and victim services. Your leadership will be essential to ensuring these reforms achieve their intended impact.

To support this work, our government is making funding available to help governments strengthen national bail data collection, reporting, and analysis. Better national data will help measure what is working, identify gaps, and support public safety. This builds on nearly $1 billion in annual federal investments across the country, including funding for legal aid, victims’ services, and other programs that help provinces and territories deliver justice services.

The federal government has acted swiftly to strengthen Canada’s Criminal Code. As provincial and territorial governments administer and resource key parts of the justice system, Canadians will now be looking to all orders of government to ensure these new laws are implemented effectively and deliver their intended impact.

I look forward to continuing to work with you to help build safer communities. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada