MINTO – Council here supports the Town of Cobalt in its efforts to improve the current state of what it calls “catch and release” justice in the Ontario legal system.
Cobalt’s letter refers to Bill C-5, which was passed by the Canadian government in 2022. The bill addresses changes to the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Council members received the Cobalt letter of support, which noted:
- the Town of Cobalt will send a letter to the federal and provincial governments requesting “meaningful improvements” to the “catch and release” system; and
- the resolution will be forwarded to the premier, relevant federal and provincial authorities, the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.
Cobalt staff also sent the letter to all municipalities in Ontario for their endorsement consideration.
On Jan. 7, Minto council discussed the letter and directed town clerk Annilene McRobb to contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for input.
On Jan. 21 McRobb presented to council a statement from the OPP Association, the union that represents OPP officers.
“The OPP Association support changes to the current bail system. Our members overwhelmingly feel that the current system is a ‘catch and release’ system that results in many of the same accused persons being at large again to re-offend shortly after arrest,” stated OPP Association president John Cerasuolo in an Oct. 28 news release.
Bill C-5 increased the availability of conditional sentence orders (CSO) when offenders do not pose a risk to public safety and are facing terms of imprisonment under two years.
A CSO is a sentence of imprisonment of less than two years served in the community under conditions such as house arrest or having a curfew.
“We feel that the safety of our community and our police officers are at risk with this system,” Cerasuolo stated.
“We acknowledge that the balance of the Canadian Charter of Rights of an accused person and community safety must be considered and welcome all efforts by all levels of government to make the system more effective for all.
The letter of support states the “catch and release system is needlessly increasing the policing costs to the municipalities.”
It also notes Ontario police services are “exhausting precious time and resources having to manage the repeated arrests of the same offenders.”
Council approved supporting the Town of Cobalt’s letter and unanimously passed a motion to that effect.