Tories, NDP spar over release of accused in Food Fare attack

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This article was published 21/05/2024 (475 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Progressive Conservative MLAs seized on the aftermath of a violent attack on three grocery store workers last week to take a swipe at the NDP government’s promised bail reform.

The 17-year-old charged with the May 14 assault on three Food Fare employees — males aged 19, 22 and 46 — was released back into the public.

It’s alleged he beat the workers with brass knuckles after being removed from the building at Portage Avenue and Burnell Street earlier in the day.

The Tories used the incident to go after the NDP’s promised reforms, which critics have called window dressing.

“Three employees were assaulted on the job and taken to hospital and, before they had even returned to work, the assailant was out on bail,” Tory justice critic Wayne Balcaen said during question period Tuesday.

“The premier and his justice minister talked and talked and talked about bail reform, but they have failed and failed and failed to keep Manitobans safe,” said the former Brandon police chief.

During the 2023 election campaign, the NDP promised within 100 days of taking office to move toward implementing the National Police Federation’s recommendations on bail reform — including improving post-bail release monitoring and to establish community bail enforcement monitoring programs.

On Feb. 29, the government announced $3 million would be set aside in 2024-25 for 12 new officers who will carry out checks and arrest accused people who allegedly breach their release conditions.

The new officers aren’t expected to be on the job until the fall.

“Is the system working as you had planned?” asked Balcaen.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe shot back by blaming seven years of “inaction” by the previous PC government.

“There’s no wonder that retailers and business owners across our province are frustrated,” the rookie justice minister said. “Rather than investing in preventing crime, the previous government let it skyrocket.”

Wiebe pointed to a 44 per cent year-over-year increase in thefts under $5,000 last year, when the PCs were in power.

Balcaen returned to the Food Fare incident last week.

“A young offender walked into a business with a prohibited weapon and the expressed intent of causing violence,” he said.

The teen was charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of possessing a prohibited or restricted weapon (brass knuckles) before being released on an undertaking. At the time, police said other arrests were expected. No update was available Tuesday afternoon.

“Three Manitobans were taken to hospital while on the job and the assailant was granted bail,” Balcaen said.

“Why will the minister not admit his bail non-reform is a complete and abject failure?”

The justice minister said the NDP government is focused on a “path forward.”

“It’s about real funding and real programs that will make a difference. We’re going to work with retailers to enable them and give them the tools they need to keep their businesses safe,” Wiebe said, pointing to the $300 rebate the province is offering to Manitobans for security systems purchased since last September. That program is expected to roll out next month.

The justice minister went after the Tories for delaying the passage of Bill 30, the Unexplained Wealth Act, that would compel suspected criminals to show how they acquired multimillion-dollar homes and luxury vehicles.

“It’s a very concerning set of incidents that have happened lately — many with ties to organized crime,” the justice minister said of some recent shoplifting incidents.

University of Manitoba criminology instructor Frank Cormier said the Tories’ line of attack is nothing new, but it doesn’t accomplish anything.

“Could we do bail better? Yes,” said Cormier, who doesn’t oppose improved bail monitoring.

“But doing it more, or more harshly, doesn’t help anything. Data shows it makes it worse,” said Cormier, who admits to being called a “thug hugger” who’s sympathetic to alleged offenders.

“We’re already doing things that are harsh,” he said. “When people are granted bail, there’s an onerous list of conditions,” he said. “The problem with conditions is many are unrealistic.”

For instance, many accused have addictions but their conditions require them to stay away from alcohol and drugs. “Telling someone to stop it is just dumb,” Cormier said.

Some don’t have a home but their bail conditions require them to reside at an address. More resources are needed for people on bail, including better bail supervision programs and more funding for non-governmental organizations, such as the John Howard Society, that do the work, the instructor said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca