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OACP Statement on Home Invasions, Violent Crimes, and the Need for Justice Reform
Ontario’s police leaders recognize that strong emotions were generated by recent cases involving homeowners defending themselves against intruders. We share those same emotions and are frustrated by a system that continues to put public safety at risk by repeat offenders. The fact that we are entertaining public discourse on how individuals should respond to violent repeat offenders shows how broken our justice system has become. These recent criminal acts make it absolutely clear that there are deeper systemic issues involved that are eroding trust and confidence in the system.
The OACP has consistently called for justice reform that strengthens Canadian laws with real authority and accountability and enhances resources across the justice system—policing, courts, and corrections—to reduce threats to public safety. Our communities expect it, our members expect it, and we expect that community safety should be a priority in all corners of this country.
First and foremost, we reiterate our call for urgent changes to Canada’s bail system. Police leaders recognize the Charter right to reasonable bail in the Canadian criminal justice system and the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence. However, any system of reasonable bail must necessarily balance considerations for the safety of Canadians. We assert that, at this point in our time, the balance is off.
We need a system where consequences are certain, significant, and swift. We need a system where offenders, once convicted, are held to meaningful consequences, including minimum sentencing to ensure the certainty of consequences.
Increasing numbers of home invasions and other violent crimes in Ontario clearly demonstrate that the criminal justice system is failing Canadians. Legislators must look at ways to address how the bail system accounts for serious violent offences, chronic violent offenders, firearms offences, and intimate partner violence. Similarly, situations where the Youth Criminal Justice Act allows young offenders charged with violent offences to be released on bail requires the same lens of reform as do changes to the Criminal Code of Canada and the consideration of mandatory minimum sentences for repeat violent offenders. These are adult offences being committed by children because the weakness of the YCJA is so well-known.
Police leaders across Ontario, supported by police associations and the Government of Ontario, have been warning for years about the urgent need for:
- Bail reform that properly addresses serious violent offences, chronic violent offenders, firearms offences, and intimate partner violence.
- Corrections reform that ensures offenders face meaningful consequences and rehabilitation.
- Enhanced resources for policing, courts, and corrections to enforce bail compliance, supported by modern technology such as GPS monitoring.
We acknowledge that justice reform, including bail reform, is complex and must be guided by Charter principles; complexity cannot be an excuse for inaction. The increasing number of home invasions makes clear that Canadians are being failed by a system that seemingly prioritizes repeat offenders’ release over public safety.
Police leaders in Ontario are united in demanding justice reform that protects law abiding Canadians, their families, and their communities from brazen criminals whose violent acts puts lives at risk.
Justice reform – including changes to the bail system – is a complex issue that requires a collaborative, multi-faceted approach involving Federal and Provincial criminal justice stakeholders and the development of legislative, policy, and resourcing solutions that promote public and officer safety in accordance with Charter principles.
Canadians cannot accept a situation where violent repeat offenders are routinely granted bail, only to commit further crimes that place people at risk in their own homes. Real solutions require legislation with teeth, along with sufficient resources for policing, the courts, and corrections across the country..
For more information, please contact:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. (416) 919-9798
E. jcouto@oacp.ca
Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, national, and Indigenous police services across Ontario
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