Kamloops MP Caputo pushing for bail reforms as the House resumes sitting

KAMLOOPS — The federal Conservatives raised an opposition day motion in the House of Commons Thursday (Feb. 2), demanding the government toughen the bail system and reform the justice system. Kamloops Thompson Cariboo MP Frank Caputo, a former Crown prosecutor, is hopeful the government will listen as the move came after a letter was sent by all 13 premiers asking for change.

“People who used to apply for bail or wouldn’t even apply for bail because it was a forgone conclusion — their record was such that they wouldn’t get bail — are now getting bail on a regular basis. I’m hearing about this frequently from all sorts of people — from my constituents, people who are victimized, people who work in the justice system. It has been a steady stream of communication saying to me that something has to change,” said Caputo.

Over recent years, a couple of legal changes and a few Supreme Court of Canada rulings have affected how bail can be obtained.

“The justice minister says that it made bail harder to get in some instances. In the vast majority of cases, it made bail substantially easier to obtain. On top of that, we have some case law from the Supreme Court of Canada, which happens. Now it is parliament’s job to respond to that case law, and what have the Liberal government done, not respond,” added Caputo.

Caputo, the son of a sawmill worker himself, has been watching the forestry industry in British Columbia with worry. As hundreds of workers have been laid off since the start of the year, the MP is questioning the effort of the federal government to complete a softwood lumber deal with the United States.

“The lack of effort it seems to get a softwood lumber deal done is unconscionable,” stated Caputo. “We need to start putting our resource workers first — not just in forestry, but in all aspects. Because right now resources in other countries are being preferred over resources from Canada.”

On Thursday (Feb. 2), the federal Liberal government moved a motion to delay expansion of medical assistance in dying that would have included those suffering from mental health illnesses. The delay is something Caputo and the Tory caucus have been vocal about.

“When we look at the fact that in 1993, the Supreme Court of Canada said you do not have a Charter right to assisted suicide, in 2015 they said you do. Now look at how far things have come in seven years. In my view, it is time to pump the brakes and really evaluate the efficacy of this type of program that has such a significant impact on Canadians,” said Caputo.

The Tories are also expected to bring more attention to the rising cost of living and inflation over the next three weeks that the house is sitting.