Ontario government announces new funding to tackle the issue of bail compliance

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM: The Ontario government is looking to help police forces keep better track of people on bail conditions, by expanding a program the Durham Regional Police Service have helped to create.

On Thursday, January 11th, Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner announced the government is making an investment of $24 million, over three years, through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program.

“Ensuring offenders comply with their bail and court ordered conditions is essential to keeping the streets of Ontario safe,” the Solicitor General said, at a press conference. “This government will not stop until we get it done.”

A government press release stated, this program will “support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services.” The release also stated, this program will help “establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals” and “support new technology for a provincewide bail compliance monitoring system.” The latter initiative has been created in collaboration between the Durham Regional Police and the City of Toronto.

“Non-compliance with bail conditions is a growing concern, right here in Durham Region and across the province. Too many of our most serious offenders are non-compliant with their bail conditions. Right here in Durham, just in 2023, there were over 330 incidents, where an individual charged with an offence was charged with new offences while already out on bail for others,” Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira said.