this is NOT crime control……………… murderers should be in jail or worse……NOT walking the streets!

TORONTO: Of the 46 accused murderers, 32 (70%) were on bail, probation or subject to a court order
Date: Nov 24, 2006 7:13 AM
PUBLICATION: GLOBE AND MAIL
DATE: 2006.11.24
PAGE: A18 (ILLUS)
BYLINE: JENNIFER LEWINGTON AND TIMOTHY APPLEBY
SECTION: Toronto News
EDITION: Metro
WORD COUNT: 877

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Harper touts tougher bail rules ‘Reverse-onus’ legislation will help
control gun violence, Miller and McGuinty say

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With the Premier of Ontario and the mayor of Canada’s biggest city
strongly at his side yesterday in Toronto, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
announced new federal legislation to toughen bail conditions for
gun-related crimes.

Under the proposed legislation, introduced yesterday in the House of
Commons, those charged with gun crimes will have to show why they should
not stay in custody until a trial — a “reverse onus” provision that
Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor David Miller have urged for months.

Unless an accused is already charged with an indictable offence, current
rules require prosecutors to show why the person charged with a gun
offence should not be released on bail.

“Today, we are partisans for the same cause — reclaiming safe streets
and safe communities for all Canadians,” Mr. Harper said.

“They want the scales of justice rebalanced.” The Prime Minister’s
announcement, his first with the Premier and the mayor since he was
elected in January, was made on the heels of three shooting incidents in
Toronto this week.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Service reports that 70 per cent of those
arrested on homicide charges this year (32 of 46 people) were either on
bail or probation or under court-ordered prohibitions at the time of the
crime.

The Prime Minister’s pledge of legislation, telegraphed in August by
Justice Minister Vic Toews, is not the first move to create reverse-onus
provisions in the Criminal Code.

For that reason, Mr. Harper says he is confident the proposal can
withstand a constitutional challenge from people who fear a loss of
rights for those accused of a crime. “I believe we are standing on
strong ground,” he said. “It’s essential for public safety.”
Under
existing law, people accused of organized-crime offences, terrorism and
drug trafficking must explain to bail courts why they should be freed
while awaiting trial.

The issue of gun crimes has moved to the front burner in many cities,
including Toronto, where 52 of last year’s 78 homicides were committed
with firearms.

Both Mr. Miller and Mr. McGuinty praised the Prime Minister for the
legislation and urged all federal parties to endorse it.

“When it comes to anything that threatens our families and the safety of
our communities, that is an issue that transcends partisan politics,”
the Premier said.

Mr. Miller said the tougher approach on bail is necessary because “guns
are different than anything else. . . . They give cowardly criminals the
cap to become killers with minimal thought and far too much ease.” Law
enforcement officials also endorsed the proposal.

“We have seen an extremely disturbing and increasing trend in the last
several years with people we wind up arresting for murder are on bail
for previous serious criminal offences — assaults, sexual assaults,
previous shootings, attempted murder et cetera — who continue to commit
these crimes,” said Staff Inspector Brian Raybould, who heads the
Toronto homicide squad. “These are people who are under firearms
restrictions and other restrictions who are breaching them on a
continuing basis.” The news conference, which included a hand-picked
audience of about 30 people who peppered the Prime Minister’s speech
with applause, was notable for the cordial tone among three politicians
who have sparred publicly in recent months.

Mr. McGuinty has made little headway in pressing the federal government
to close the so-called fiscal gap he says Ontario is experiencing.

Last week, despite handily winning a second term on a platform that
recommended reverse-onus legislation, Mr. Miller was immediately
rebuffed in his call for federal and provincial governments to share one
cent of the 14 cents in sales tax revenue they collect from the city.

Yesterday, the Premier and Mr. Miller sidestepped any direct criticism
of the Prime Minister, who does not endorse the other two politicians’
push for a ban on handguns.

“I kind of like the Prime Minister saying yes to Toronto,” said Mr.
Miller, an apparent reference to the speedy no to his pitch for a share
of tax revenues that grow with the economy. “We will keep finding ways
to say yes together.” For his part, Mr. Harper said: “Canadians want us
to work together when we can. There is a lot we have in common in terms
of dealing with the crime problem.” Toronto Councillor Karen Stintz,
sometimes a critic of the mayor, praised his warm words for the Prime
Minister.

“It is a positive step for the city of Toronto to build a solid
relationship with other levels of government,” she said. “I was pleased
and very proud of the mayor.” ***** Repeat offenders Bail, release on
terms of varying strictness pending a further court appearance, is not
the only court-ordered restriction that is violated when a subsequent
offence is committed.

Toronto has had 62 homicides this year. Of those, 41 have been cleared,
with 46 people either arrested or sought on arrest warrants. In four of
the 62 homicides, criminal proceedings ended because the accused
committed suicide. Of the 46 accused, 32 — or 70 per cent — were
either on bail, on probation or subject to some other court order.
Fourteen were subject to multiple court orders. Among 32 people facing
murder or manslaughter charges: * 14 were on bail at the time of the
offence; * 13 were on probation; * 17 were subject to
firearms-prohibition orders. Four are juveniles and 21 are aged 18 to
25.

Toronto Police Homicide Squad

The Second Amendment IS Homeland Security !