Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government plans to strengthen the Criminal Code with new legislation that includes "reverse-onus bail" and consecutive sentencing.
Carney, who made the announcement in Etobicoke, Ont. Thursday (Oct. 16), said the government plans to table the legislation next week to amend the Criminal Code for crimes committed by violent and repeat offenders. It's meant to target those accused of serious crimes like violent auto theft, breaking and entering, human trafficking, violent assault and sexual assault.
A release from the Prime Minister's Office says the legislation will include introducing a "reverse-onus bail" for major crimes, allowing consecutive sentencing so multiple crimes mean longer time behind bars, imposing harsher penalties for organized retail theft and restricting conditional sentences for a number of sexual offences.
Carney also announced the planning hiring of 1,000 RCMP personnel Canada-wide.
The release says that in Budget 2025, the government promises to invest $1.8 billion over four years to increase federal policing capacity, with an aim to combat online fraud, money laundering, online child sexual exploitation and organized criminal networks "that threaten Canada's economic and national security."
That funding would also go toward raising the RCMP cadet recruitment allowance to $1,000 per week and dedicating 150 new RCMP personnel to tackle financial crimes.
The release adds the federal government is also working with provinces and territories to "address the root causes of crime."
Budget 2025 is set to be tabled by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
