- Review and expand reverse onus provisions for bail in cases involving violent offences, serious crimes, or organized crime (e.g., car thefts, home invasions, human trafficking, drug smuggling).
- Enhance bail compliance monitoring and enforcement, including GPS monitoring and effective use of estreatment, while respecting Charter rights.
- Provide additional resources for policing, courts, and corrections to enforce bail compliance effectively.
Victims & Survivors Symposium
Bringing together the collective voices of those affected by violent offenders
The inaugural Victims and Survivors Symposium was held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale. This one-day, in-person event brought together victims, survivors, justice sector leaders, and community advocates to discuss the impacts of violent offenders and systemic issues within Canada's bail system. Through lived experiences, policy dialogue, and collaborative workshops, the symposium generated momentum for meaningful reform and stronger public safety outcomes.
Recommendations and Outcomes
- Expand access to traumainformed counselling, legal supports, and both immediate and sustainable services for survivors and victims.
- Commit to removing barriers that prevent victims of violence from coming forward and/or recovering.
- Prioritize victim safety in all bail and release decisions.
- Pursue targeted Criminal Code reforms to close legal gaps, strengthen sentencing, and address repeat violent offending, with a focus on carjackings, home invasions, and genderbased violence.
- Advocate to strengthen legislation surrounding carjackings, home invasions, and gender-based violence.
- Engage federal and provincial justice stakeholders to support balanced legislative and resourcing solutions that promote public safety in accordance with Charter principles.
Outcomes
Safeguard victims and the public from violent offences committed by individuals released on bail through stronger monitoring, enforcement, and targeted reforms.
Ensure survivors are protected, empowered, and supported through immediate access to traumainformed services, legal supports, and safety measures.
Deliver better protection and support for communities affected by violent crime, alongside stronger accountability for offenders, strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
