The federal government has announced significant changes to the justice system aimed at addressing rising crime rates in Canada. The proposed legislation, known as Bill C-14, was unveiled on Thursday and seeks to make it more difficult for certain offenders to secure bail while also toughening sentencing for repeat and violent offenders.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser outlined the new measures, which include over 80 amendments to the Criminal Code. These changes come in response to increasing demands from victims' rights advocates, police unions, and provincial leaders for a more stringent approach to crime. Although crime rates saw a slight decline last year, there has been a notable rise in violent crime over the past decade.

One of the key features of the proposed legislation is the introduction of new "reverse onuses." Under this framework, detention will be the default option for individuals charged with serious offenses, such as violent crimes, organized crime-related auto theft, and sexual assault involving choking or strangulation. It will be the responsibility of the accused to prove why they should be released while awaiting trial.

The government is also directing courts to closely examine bail plans for those involved in reverse onus cases. This scrutiny aims to ensure that the requests for release are "reliable and credible." Additionally, the legislation clarifies the principle of restraint, which previously mandated that judges release individuals on bail at the earliest reasonable opportunity. Now, courts and law enforcement are instructed to deny bail if it is deemed against public interest or necessary to protect victims or witnesses.

The proposed changes come in light of several high-profile criminal cases. For instance, a woman in British Columbia was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband shortly after he was released on bail for assault. Similarly, the man convicted of killing an Ontario Provincial Police officer was also out on bail at the time of the incident.

In terms of sentencing, the government is advocating for harsher penalties for repeat and violent offenders. The bill introduces consecutive sentencing, meaning that individuals convicted of multiple offenses will serve their sentences one after the other. For example, a defendant facing two three-year sentences would serve a total of six years in prison.

Moreover, new aggravating factors will be applied to crimes against first responders and retail theft, as well as offenses that damage essential infrastructure. The legislation also proposes to eliminate house arrest for certain sexual assault and child sexual offenses.

In addition to these measures, the bill includes changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, making it easier to imprison youth convicted of violent crimes and allowing police to disclose identifying information about youth in urgent situations without a court order. These reforms are part of the government's broader strategy to restore public confidence in the justice system and address concerns about crime in Canada.