After the Bill C-14  (Bail and Sentencing Reform Act)  received royal assent, the British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma termed she is encouraged by changes to reverse-onus bail provisions. 

“Today, Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, received royal assent. This new law addresses reforms B.C. has been advocating for to better align Canada’s bail and sentencing guidelines with real-world experiences, particularly the pattern of repeat offending, the dynamics of intimate-partner violence and the need for meaningful consequences for disrespecting the law," Sharma said. 

She further said, “I am especially encouraged by changes to reverse-onus bail provisions, one of B.C.’s top priorities in our proposals to the federal government. Too many families in British Columbia have experienced devastating loss because of repeat violence. These changes will help better protect people before harm occurs."

“In cases involving choking, suffocation or strangulation, the burden is now on the accused to justify whether they should be released on bail, rather than on prosecutors to argue for detention. The new law also closes a gap that allowed some convicted offenders to reoffend again while out on bail awaiting sentencing. Together, these changes are an important step toward better protecting people, especially victims of intimate-partner violence, and communities impacted by repeat offending.

"I am pleased that Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, has received royal assent as it is an important step in keeping repeat offenders off our streets," said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.