CPA ACP

June 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadian Police Association welcomes Royal Assent of Bill C-14 as an important step forward for public safety

OTTAWA - The Canadian Police Association welcomes Royal Assent of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, calling it an important achievement for public safety and a clear recognition by Parliament that Canada’s bail system must respond more effectively to serious and repeat offending.

For several years, front-line police personnel and police associations across Canada have been raising concerns about the impact of repeat violent offending, organized crime, firearms-related violence, extortion, auto theft and the risks created when high-risk accused persons are repeatedly released back into the community without sufficient safeguards.

“Today’s Royal Assent is an important moment for public safety in Canada, and it did not happen by accident,” said Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association. “It reflects years of sustained advocacy by front-line police personnel and police associations across the country, all raising the same concern: when high-risk offenders are arrested, released and arrested again, the justice system is not working the way Canadians expect it to work.”

Bill C-14 includes targeted Criminal Code reforms intended to strengthen bail laws for violent and repeat offenders, expand reverse-onus provisions for serious offences, reinforce public safety considerations at bail and toughen sentencing rules for serious and violent crime.

The CPA has been a consistent national voice calling for meaningful bail reform, working with member associations, governments and parliamentarians to help build broad consensus around the need for legislative action. The passage of Bill C-14 reflects that national effort and the lived experience of front-line personnel who see the consequences of gaps in the justice system in communities every day.

“This legislation is not a silver bullet, and no one should pretend that it is,” said Stamatakis. “It will not replace the need for properly resourced courts, prosecutors, bail supervision programs, mental health supports, addiction treatment and correctional capacity. But it does give police, prosecutors and judges stronger tools to deal with the small number of offenders who cause a disproportionate amount of harm in our communities.”

The CPA also emphasized that the significance of Bill C-14 goes beyond the specific Criminal Code amendments it contains. By passing this legislation, Parliament is sending a clear message that repeat violent offending, serious weapons offences, organized crime and breaches of community safety must be treated with the urgency they deserve at every stage of the justice system, including in bail courts and sentencing hearings across the country.

“Just as important as the specific reforms in this bill is the message Parliament is sending by passing it,” said Stamatakis. “Canadians are rightly concerned when serious repeat offenders cycle through the justice system and return to the community again and again. This legislation tells police, prosecutors, judges, victims and the public that Parliament recognizes the seriousness of that problem, and expects it to be taken seriously.”

The CPA thanked the federal government for bringing the legislation forward, and recognized parliamentarians from all parties who supported meaningful reform. The Association also expressed appreciation to provincial, territorial and municipal governments, community organizations and other public safety partners who joined the call for action and helped reinforce what front-line police associations had been saying consistently: Canada’s bail system needed meaningful change.

“As police associations, our responsibility is to make sure the front-line perspective is heard in national public policy debates,” said Stamatakis. “Bill C-14 is a concrete example of the value of working together through a strong national voice. Local concerns became a coordinated national call for action, that call was joined by governments and public safety partners across the country, and Parliament responded.”

With Royal Assent now granted, the CPA is calling on all levels of government to ensure the legislation is implemented effectively, including through proper resourcing for bail courts, prosecution services, bail supervision, victim supports and data collection to measure whether the reforms are achieving their intended purpose.

“Passing the law is a major achievement,” said Stamatakis. “Now the work turns to implementation. Canadians need to see that these reforms make a real difference in their communities, and front-line police personnel need to see that the justice system has the tools and resources to respond effectively when public safety is at risk.”

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Michael Gendron

Canadian Police Association

613-299-6516 / mgendron@cpa-acp.ca