Premiers of all provinces and territories call on Carney for legislative changes and resources for data collection Yukon premier Ranj Pillai has joined the leaders of the other Canadian jurisdictions in calling on the federal government for legislative changes addressing “critical issues” with the country’s bail system. Pillai’s name is among those on a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging bail reform and stronger public safety measures according to a March 25 statement from the territorial government. “Delays in criminal justice system and bail reform compromise the safety of our communities. Alongside the other provinces and territories, our government has repeatedly raised concerns about shortcomings in the criminal justice system to federal counterparts. This letter is another step in our efforts to stop criminal activity, protect Yukoners and Yukon businesses and make our communities safer for everyone,” a statement from the premier reads. The letter from the premiers to the prime minister offers the example of Kelly Verway, a Manitoba woman killed in January by a man allegedly driving impaired while he had a warrant out for his arrest for repeated bail condition violations. “The circumstances that underpin this incident cannot be allowed to happen again. The 2024 Fall Economic Statement included a commitment by the federal government itself to amend the Criminal Code to make bail and sentencing laws stricter to better respond to the severity of a range of violent offences. This has yet to occur. This delay needs to be rectified at the earliest possible opportunity,” the letter reads. The premiers expressed their thanks for Bill C-48 amendments dealing with bail, the government made in 2023. The letter compliments work done to keep violent offenders off the street. The correspondence also contains a call for the federal government to more closely monitor the effectiveness of the bail system. They are seeking reliable data on bail and are encouraging Justice Canada to give the provinces and territories resources for the collection of data to monitor the effectiveness of the C-48 amendments. Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
Yukon premier joins others in call for bail reform
