After years of arresting the same suspects repeatedly, Peel Regional Police say new federal bail and sentencing reforms could mark a turning point in the fight against violent crime and organized criminal activity in Brampton and Mississauga.
Speaking at Brampton City Hall following the passage of the federal Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said officers have grown increasingly frustrated by seeing repeat offenders cycle through the justice system and quickly return to the streets.
“Our officers work tirelessly to protect the public, but too often they find themselves dealing with the same individuals again and again,” Milinovich said, describing the issue as one of the biggest challenges facing frontline policing.
The new legislation, known as Bill C-14, introduces sweeping changes to Canada’s bail and sentencing framework, including tougher bail provisions for repeat violent offenders and harsher penalties for crimes involving organized crime, auto theft, home invasions, extortion and human trafficking. Most of the reforms are scheduled to take effect on July 15.
Police say the changes come after a troubling surge in serious crimes across Peel Region. In 2024, carjackings increased by approximately 83 per cent, home invasions nearly tripled, and extortion cases targeting members of the South Asian business community rose dramatically. Although targeted police operations have since led to declines in several crime categories, authorities say repeat offenders have remained a persistent problem.
Milinovich recalled a recent incident in which Peel officers attempting to arrest a suspect with a history of firearms offences were shot at during a proactive operation. Fortunately, no officers were injured.
The issue has also been championed by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who said calls for stronger bail laws intensified after the 2020 murder of 25-year-old Darian Hailey Henderson-Bellman. Brown noted that the accused had repeatedly violated release conditions and had been granted bail several times despite a documented history of violence.
According to Brown, residents have become increasingly alarmed by organized crime, vehicle theft rings, home invasions, extortion attempts and gun-related offences, prompting repeated demands for changes to Canada’s bail system.
Under the new law, certain accused individuals will face reverse-onus provisions, requiring them to demonstrate why they should be released. Judges will also be required to consider additional factors, including outstanding charges and risks to public safety when making bail decisions.
For police officers, the reforms are being viewed as a long-awaited response to concerns about morale and public confidence. Milinovich acknowledged that many officers become discouraged when suspects they arrest are released shortly afterward.
Supporters of the legislation believe the reforms will help break the revolving door of repeat violent crime and provide courts with stronger tools to protect communities.
For Peel police and municipal leaders who have spent years advocating for change, the passage of the legislation represents what they hope will be a major step toward safer streets and greater accountability for repeat offenders in Brampton, Mississauga and across Canada.