Over 80 targeted changes to the Criminal Code on bail and sentencing are now law

June 25, 2026 – Halifax, NS – Department of Justice Canada

The Government of Canada has heard from communities across the country that public safety is an issue of grave concern, and we have taken action to help keep everyone in Canada safe. In particular, we know that many communities have been struck by a rise in retail theft and violence against transit workers, which is why the government introduced legislation to crack down on such crimes and hold offenders to account.

The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14), with some of the most significant reforms to make bail and sentencing laws stronger, has passed into law, delivering on our commitment to strengthen the Criminal Code.          

Shaped by extensive consultations and close collaboration with partners across the country, these reforms were backed by premiers from every province and territory, as well as mayors, and law enforcement who called for the Bill’s swift passage. The changes on bail and sentencing will come into force on July 15, 2026.

Stricter bail and sentencing laws

Bail and sentencing laws are now stricter for violent and organized crime, home invasion, car theft, and human trafficking. More specifically, the changes:

• make bail harder to get for those accused of repeat and violent offending by creating new reverse onus rules in certain cases, meaning the accused must show why they should be released
• direct police to detain an accused for a bail hearing when it is necessary to protect the public, including victims and witnesses
• require courts to consider more factors at bail hearings, including whether the allegations involve violence that was random or unprovoked
• require courts to consider whether the accused has numerous or serious outstanding charges when determining whether to grant them bail
• require courts to consider weapons bans in more cases
• require courts to look more closely at an accused person’s bail plan when a reverse onus applies
• prohibit courts from naming anyone as a surety (someone who supervises a person who is out on bail) who was convicted of a serious criminal offence in the past 10 years, unless no other suitable surety is available
• require consecutive sentences for violent auto theft and break and enter
• require consecutive sentences for extortion and arson
• require judges to consider consecutive sentences for repeat violent offending

Combatting petty theft and violence against transit workers

The proposed reforms would crack down on repeat violent offenders and organized crime, which is often linked to retail theft, and help protect transit workers from violent behaviours. More specifically, the changes:

• create a new aggravating factor for retail theft
• expand the existing aggravating factor for violence against a transit operator so that it applies to all transit employees, such as fare inspectors, station staff, and maintenance workers

These changes are an important step, but laws alone are not enough. Their full impact will depend on implementation across the justice system. Provinces and territories are responsible for administering and resourcing key parts of that system, including policing, prosecution services, bail courts, bail supervision programs, provincial courts, jails, and victim services. The Government of Canada has acted swiftly to strengthen the law and will continue working with partners across the country to support effective implementation.

Changes to Canada’s Criminal Code were made stronger by the valuable input, expertise, close collaboration, and continued partnership of provinces, territories, law enforcement, mayors, victims’ advocates, and partners across the country who helped shape them.

In less than a year, Canada’s new government has delivered one of the most ambitious criminal justice reform agendas in recent memory, with three major bills to strengthen protections against hate crimes, make bail laws stricter and toughen sentences, better protect victims and survivors, and keep kids safe from predators.

As threats evolve, the Government of Canada will continue to move with urgency to strengthen Canada’s laws and keep Canadians safe.