TEMISKAMING SHORES—The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) met with a group of police services to discuss the negative impacts federal Bill C-75 (the catch-and-release legislation) is having on communities across Ontario.
“Citizens of Northern Ontario are angry. People that break into our homes and traumatize law-abiding citizens are arrested by police, then released the same day, some of them committing another crime later that day,” said Danny Whalen, FONOM president. “The lack of movement to examine the legislation four years after implementation is unacceptable and we will continue to bring a northern voice to decision makers.”
Mr. Whalen’s comments come after FONOM members met with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services board chair, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Timmins Police Service, and the North Bay Police Association, to discuss the negative impacts of Bill C-75.
During a FONOM board meeting in July 2022 Sault Ste. Marie’s Police Chief Hugh Stevenson, shared the current catch-and-release procedures. At the meeting, FONOM membership committed to create a Northern Task Force to focus on the issue. The task force consists of three FONOM board members, two municipal police chiefs, and an OPP service board member. The first meeting of the task force was held in Sault Ste. Marie on February 16.
“We’ve been discussing this issue at FONOM for the past 12-14 months,” Mr. Whalen told The Expositor. “As municipalities we are footing the bill every time the OPP has to respond to a call for service; municipalities receive a bill. Members of the North Bay Police Service are frustrated as are police services everywhere. They have to go through all the work and effort to investigate break and enter incidents and get the person, then they are released in court and in some cases other officers are arresting the same person that very same day. They (police) are not being supported by the court system.”
“We are not saying to put everyone in jail,” Mr. Whalen continued. “If an arrest on a break and enter has taken place and the incident had occurred because someone has broken into a place to alleviate their addiction problem, then rehabilitation should be provided for this person. Can we put more money into social issues and criminal court.”
“We’re saying if someone is arrested and appears in court and the judge sets bail at $3,000, there should be no money changing hands until the person charged has not reoffended by their next set court appearance,” said Mr. Whalen.
Moving forward FONOM will work to increase participation from northern police services such as the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, other northern police association representatives and government officials. The task force is communicating with the Attorney General and Solicitor General offices to participate in ongoing discussions around catch-and-release.
During the recent meeting Chief Stevenson, an Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) board member shared with FONOM four recommended amendments for Bill C-75. They include creating a designation of a chronic persistent offender, allow community impact statements at bail and at bail hearings, creating reverse onus in bail for all firearm offences and ensure bail-related firearm charges go to the superior court for bail hearing.
“Violent crime is up 80 percent in the last five years in our community,” stated Police Chief Stevenson “Cyclical issues continue to cost municipalities in staffing and financial resources for emergency medical services, police, fire, court and correction services for these violent incidents.”
The next task force meeting will be held in Timmins on April 12. Police Chief Stevenson has agreed to participate in a panel discussion on catch-and-release during the May FONOM conference in Parry Sound.
“There will be another meeting in April and we are going to be seeking more representation, from First Nations, the solicitor general and attorney general offices,” added Mr. Whalen.
