Premiers to seek cash for guns, gangs probes

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This article was published 21/04/2023 (921 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canada’s premiers will call on Ottawa to enhance funding for guns and gangs investigations and to follow through on legislative changes that would make it tougher for violent offenders to receive bail.

Premier Heather Stefanson chaired Friday’s virtual meeting between the Council of the Federation and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The association requested the meeting in early April to discuss “several urgent and emerging issues” regarding policing and violence.

Stefanson described the meeting as “very positive and constructive” as the two groups discussed federal funding for special investigation units that target gang and gun violence, and bail reform.

“Now more than ever, federal action is needed. Reforms should not be delayed further for public protection and safer communities and to support the work and dedication of all of our law enforcement officers that seek to protect Canadians right across our country,” Stefanson told reporters following the meeting.

Last month, federal Justice Minister David Lametti promised to change the Criminal Code to establish a reverse onus for repeat violent offenders seeking bail, including for those accused of crimes involving firearms, knives and bear spray. The proposal had been championed by Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen.

Stefanson said the premiers are also upping their call for Ottawa to commit to extended funding for its guns and gang violence initiative in writing.

In its 2018 budget, the federal government established a five-year, $327-million initiative to combat gun and gang violence. Manitoba was to receive $13.3 million over the life of the program.

“We are very much in alignment when it comes to bail reform as well as the extra funds for guns and gang violence action fund,” Stefanson said.

In a statement, the police chiefs association said it called for a “strong statement of support and acknowledgement of policing as an essential part of Canada’s public safety and social services system” from the premiers.

Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth is the association’s president.

“With both policing and health falling under provincial jurisdiction, premiers play a critical role in implementing a more integrated and balanced social infrastructure to appropriately address the demands for service that require the combined efforts and expertise of police, health, and community services in communities across the country.”

Previously, the chiefs had expressed concern police services are being used as a stop gap for shortcomings in social, health and public safety infrastructure, and officers go beyond their law enforcement duties to respond to people in crisis where solutions do not otherwise exist.

The association said it’s encouraged by some progress towards a strengthened social infrastructure, but a more concerted and consistent approach is required in all regions.

Stefanson said the association offered to develop a white paper that would help provinces and territories learn about what police experience on the front lines and how to move forward.

“We had a good discussion about it today. We didn’t have long enough, obviously, to dive deep into some of these areas but that’s where it came up, the idea of putting together a white paper, and we’ll look forward to seeing that from them,” she said.

Stefanson said the premiers do not support the decriminalization of personal possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.

The police chiefs have endorsed alternatives to criminal sanctions for simple possession as part of a public health response to addictions and to divert people away from the criminal justice system.

In its statement, the association said it also recommended governments review statutory criteria that govern authorities that determine whether a person has the mental capacity to stand trial.

“Too many individuals with mental disorders, who pose a significant threat to public safety, are not being held accountable for their actions and are being released back into the community without the appropriate care or restrictions required,” the chiefs association said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca