You may recall I had a New Year’s resolution for Manitoba that essentially called on the Manitoba government to tackle violent crime in Manitoba. Violent crime is a huge problem in this beautiful province and we need to get bold to address it because it affects all of us, all the time.
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According to the Crime Severity Index in Canada, Winnipeg had the most violent crime in 2022 per capita than any other city in Canada over a population of 100k. And that crime rate was a 20% increase from 2021. We are still seeing double digit violent crime rate increases in Winnipeg in 2023 and 2024 has not started well either. Winnipeg, sadly, has the second highest per capita murder rate.
So where do we start? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…bail reform. The catch and release justice system is putting repeat offenders back onto our streets and into our communities only to re-commit again and again. Clearly the current bail system is inadequate in terms of deterring violent criminals and perpetuating a revolving door justice system. At what point will we finally admit that major bail reform is necessary?
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Well, our current Premier admitted it was necessary. During the Leaders debate prior to the election Wab Kinew said “there’s no need to wait for other levels of government to take action”. He promised to “implement bail reform at the provincial level” and “direct the Ministry of Justice to implement stronger conditions on bail to keep (Manitobans) safe in the community” He committed to implement this with 100 days of being elected.
In fact, in a five-point NDP Tough on Crime Strategy Kinew lamented that “Manitobans are tired of feeling unsafe. After seven years of Heather Stefanson’s cuts to policing and community safety, we need a new approach – one that’s tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. And I will implement stricter bail measures to keep violent criminals out of our communities.”
It’s now day 112 for the Kinew government. Time’s up Mr. Premier, where are the stricter bail reform measures you promised?! On Jan. 14, a 29-year-old man was arrested for attempting to cross the Boissevain port of entry with $50.7 million of methamphetamine in a commercial truck. It was the largest drug bust in Prairie history yet the only individual arrested was recently released on bail. I am baffled that our justice system would enable such an obvious threat to public safety. And still countless others are being released while Manitobans continue to be victimized.
We know the criminals aren’t going to take a break so it’s on the Manitoba government to act and act now. Police are only as effective as the justice system that supports them. It seems absurdly unfair that we must ask our police to continually apprehend violent offenders only to have them back out on the street in days. It’s even more offensive to have to inform the family of a murder victim that the person that killed their loved one was previously in custody but released on bail. What is the point of apprehension if we don’t even apply some basic common sense to the justice system.
Mr. Premier, we need bail reform now. What’s the hold-up? Every day you delay starts to normalize these crimes both in the eyes of the criminals and in public trust and confidence.
If there was ever a promise to Manitobans you need to keep…this is it.
— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and a former Winnipeg Sun publisher.
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KLEIN: NDP broken promises on bail reform
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11.02.2024
You may recall I had a New Year’s resolution for Manitoba that essentially called on the Manitoba government to tackle violent crime in Manitoba. Violent crime is a huge problem in this beautiful province and we need to get bold to address it because it affects all of us, all the time.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
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According to the Crime Severity Index in Canada, Winnipeg had the most violent crime in 2022 per capita than any other city in Canada over a population of 100k. And that crime rate was a 20% increase from 2021. We are still seeing double digit violent crime rate increases in Winnipeg in 2023 and 2024 has not started well either. Winnipeg, sadly, has the second highest per capita murder rate.
So where do we start? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…bail reform. The catch and release justice system is putting repeat offenders back onto our streets and into our communities only to re-commit again and........
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