Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner is pressing the federal government to bring back mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes and introduce a three-strikes bail rule that would deny bail to repeat offenders.
Letter to Federal Ministers
Kerzner outlined the demands in a letter to Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on Monday. The move aligns with federal Conservative calls for a tougher bail system, particularly for individuals convicted of multiple serious offences.
End to Time-Served Credits
The letter also calls for an end to time-served credits for pretrial detention in cases of repeat and violent crimes, arguing the practice undermines accountability and public safety.
Federal Reform on the Horizon
Justice Minister Fraser has already indicated that legislation on bail and sentencing reform will be tabled in the House of Commons next month. Meanwhile, the federal Liberals pledged in their spring election campaign to implement stricter bail conditions for offences such as home invasions, auto theft, human trafficking, organized crime and violent crime.
What’s Next
The proposals are expected to fuel debate in Ottawa as federal ministers prepare to introduce their reforms, with crime, public safety, and judicial fairness all on the line.
