Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, their businesses, and their neighbourhoods. For too long, communities across Canada have seen repeat violent offenders cycle through a revolving door of arrests, release, and reoffending. The result has been more victims, more pressure on police, and less confidence in the justice system.
That is why the passage of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, 2026, is an important step forward. The legislation received Royal Assent on June 15, 2026, and introduces more than 80 targeted amendments to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the National Defence Act. When the changes come into force on July 15, 2026, they will make bail more difficult to obtain for repeat and violent offenders and strengthen sentencing provisions for serious crimes.
Brampton’s Advocacy Helped Shape This Reform
Brampton has been one of Canada’s leading municipal voices calling for meaningful bail reform. Our advocacy began after the tragic murder of Darian Henderson-Bellman in July 2020. Darian was killed by an individual who had repeatedly breached release conditions and had been granted bail multiple times despite a documented history of violence. Her death devastated her family, shocked our community, and became a catalyst for change.
Since then, Brampton has continued to press every level of government for a justice system that protects victims, prioritizes public safety, and holds serious offenders accountable. Through our Bail Reform Now campaign, testimony before parliamentary committees, participation in national discussions on community safety, our work with the Peel Police Services Board, and direct engagement with federal decision-makers, Brampton helped bring the realities facing our residents and frontline officers directly to Ottawa.
Today’s reforms reflect that advocacy. They address serious public safety concerns, including repeat violent offending, organized crime, auto theft, extortion, carjackings, home invasions, firearms offences, intimate partner violence, drug trafficking, terrorism, and national security-related offences.
Stronger Laws Mean Safer Communities
Peel Regional Police have worked tirelessly to protect our community, investigate serious crimes, and arrest those who target residents and businesses. But police also need laws that support their work and help prevent repeat violent offenders from being released back into the community despite clear risks to public safety.
As Chief Nishan Duraiappah noted, Peel Regional Police have seen firsthand the impact repeat violent offending has on victims, families, and neighbourhoods. These reforms are an important step toward strengthening accountability, supporting victims, and enhancing public safety across Brampton and Peel Region.
I want to thank Prime Minister Mark Carney, Justice Minister Sean Fraser, Secretary of State Ruby Sahota, Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, Peel Regional Police, the Peel Police Services Board, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, Chief Nishan Duraiappah, and police leaders across the country for listening to municipalities, law enforcement, victims’ families, and residents.
This legislation is meaningful progress, but the work must continue. Brampton will keep working with all orders of government, law enforcement partners, and community organizations to support the implementation of these new measures and advocate for additional actions that strengthen community safety and improve outcomes for victims.
The goal is simple: fewer victims, safer communities, and greater confidence in our justice system. Brampton has been calling for this action for years, and today Canada has taken an important step forward.
