Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox says Manitoba’s municipal leaders are continuing to push for meaningful bail reform, even if their efforts don’t always make headlines. Knox, alongside Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, has been part of a joint campaign urging federal action on the issue. She says the group recently met with representatives from the federal Justice Department and Public Safety Canada to raise concerns about the current state of Canada’s bail system.
“We, as municipal leaders, have been working closely with both the mayor of Winnipeg and the mayor of Brandon on the push federally for bail reform,” notes Knox.
According to Knox, the Justice Minister has released a list of proposed changes, expected to be introduced this fall, aimed at addressing serious crimes such as vehicle theft and human trafficking.
“If you saw the press release that came out from the federal Justice Minister, they talked about changes with regards to car thefts, with regards to human trafficking, with regards to a number of other things,” she says.
But she adds that lesser crimes, often referred to as petty, are also having a significant impact on communities and need to be taken more seriously.
“We wanted the federal government to understand that some of these property crimes, or what are considered petty crimes like retail theft, are really affecting our communities.”
Knox believes Manitoba offers a unique and representative view of the issue across rural and urban settings. She says federal leaders need to hear from the people directly affected.
“We really feel that we have a great story to tell of different-sized communities that are seeing the effects of this right in central Canada,” she says. “We are still pushing the federal Justice Minister to visit us, to come out and actually hear stories and see the communities that we're talking about.”
Knox points to Manitoba’s recent population growth as a sign of promise and says ensuring community safety is key to maintaining that momentum.
“This is the first time in however many years that more people have moved to Manitoba than have left, and that’s a story to be told,” she says. “Having a safe province and safe communities all lend a hand to that.”
She emphasizes that while much of the advocacy happens behind the scenes, the issue remains a top priority for her and fellow leaders.
“It might not be in the public eye all the time, but behind the scenes this is a priority for us,” she adds.
Knox highlights the role of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, which represents 137 municipalities, as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in ongoing conversations about reform.
“We have representation from Canadian municipalities that are in these conversations.”
She argues that change is essential if public trust in the justice system is to be restored.
“We need to see change. Our country needs it. We can’t be a prosperous country unless we’re a safe country.”
Knox says federal officials appear to be listening. She recalls the Prime Minister’s remarks to municipal leaders confirming that bail reform is on the way.
“That was clear. The Prime Minister, even when he spoke to all municipalities at FCM, said there will be change in bail reform,” she says. “We are pushing to make sure that the right voices are helping make those decisions, and that they’re hearing from across the country.”
But she insists reform must go beyond changes to bail and sentencing alone. Rehabilitation and support services are essential to breaking the cycle of crime.
“There has to be more departments involved. It’s one thing to have sentencing or bail as a condition, but if they don’t have the supports they need to get the help they need, then we’re not making any ground.”
Knox says the public has lost confidence in the justice system and restoring it will require thoughtful and collaborative work.
“My feeling from the call that we had last week was really that they are listening, and that they understand the public has lost confidence in our justice system.”
She agrees that social issues like addiction and poverty play a role in fuelling crime, and that addressing root causes must be part of the long-term strategy.
“The root causes of crime are often the reason that people get into a criminal lifestyle.”
Still, she believes accountability is critical, particularly when it comes to repeat, prolific offenders.
“There is also the element of people who are repeat, prolific offenders who need to be held accountable for their actions,” says Knox. “We have to make sure that victims of crime are supported as much as possible.”
Addressing concerns about sentencing equity and recent legislation such as Bill C-15, Knox is clear that crime and public safety must remain the central focus.
“This is not a race issue to me one bit. This is about crime. This is about poor choices of people,” she says. “If there are all of these issues with people, why they’re committing crime, then we need to have the supports to support them.”
She says bail reform should target those responsible for the most harm.
“It’s about making sure that the bail fits the crime or the sentencing fits the crime.”
Knox also acknowledges the efforts of the Manitoba government, noting its own five-point bail reform plan.
“The province has its five-point bail reform plan.”
She adds that the City of Portage is doing what it can locally, through initiatives like its Community Safety Officer program, but emphasizes that many of the solutions lie at higher levels of government.
“There are many things that we’re doing that are in our control to make change, but a lot of this is not in our control,” she says. “We can be a voice for our community, and we will continue to do that.”