Kelowna mayor in Ottawa: Calls for stronger bail rules to tackle repeat property crime

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas is calling on federal lawmakers to move forward on legislation aimed at tightening bail and sentencing rules for repeat offenders.

On Wednesday, while speaking to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Dyas highlighted the growing frustration among business owners and residents over property crimes.

Dyas said chronic offenders are exploiting gaps in the justice system, often committing offences shortly after being released. “There are communities, municipalities, cities throughout this whole country who need this addressed. It’s affecting businesses, it’s affecting our residents,” he told committee members.

The Liberal bill under review would make it harder for people accused of theft, break-and-enter, extortion, and other offences to obtain bail. It also proposes a reverse onus on bail for certain crimes, requiring the accused to justify their release.

Dyas cited local examples of repeat offenders, noting that a small number of people are responsible for a large share of police calls in Kelowna. He said the pattern is not unique to the city and called for legislation to hold habitual offenders accountable while protecting community safety.

The bill is currently under committee review following its first reading in October and will return to the House of Commons for further debate once the process is complete.