Thursday July 24, 2014 – 12pm
Posted Jul 24, 2014 02:30:32 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
12:00- Abby Deshman, Program Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The overuse of pretrial detention in Canada’s bail system is punishing innocent people, slowing the judicial process, and costing unnecessary tax dollars, according to a report by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association released yesterday. Deshman, co-author of the report, said Canadians spend more than $850 million on pretrial detention even though most of those arrested are facing non-violent and minor charges. “There is a presumption of innocence that we base our justice system on,” she said. “We don’t think it’s being reflected in our bail courts.” The study, “Set Up to Fail: Bail and the Revolving Door of Pretrial Detention,” found the use of pretrial custody has risen nearly 300% over the last 30 years. During the same time, crime rates have declined, with 2012 recorded as the safest year since 1972. On an average day in 2012-13, more than 25,000 people were incarcerated in provincial jails. Of those, about 55% were awaiting trial or bail hearing – a higher number than convicted and sentenced offenders. The report found it costs about $170 a day to keep someone in pretrial detention, compared to $5 per day to supervise someone in the community.
12:30- Shayne Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement with the City of Kitchener
Hamilton’s bylaw boss is calling for an e-bike strategy as the city spins its wheels trying to keep the speedy vehicles off walking and cycling trails. But fans of the power-boosted bikes argue common sense should rule the trails, not a ban on the latest two-wheeled technology. Marty Hazell said the bylaw department is fielding more complaints about the increasingly popular e-bikes, particularly on the waterfront trail and in parks where the motorized vehicles are banned. Hazell said he’d like council to consider a “citywide strategy” that focuses on education of riders and updating existing bylaws, rather than enforcement.
Listen:
