Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree recently stated that his gun confiscation plan aims to make streets safer. However, police officials have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of this initiative. During a Commons committee meeting, police union leaders highlighted significant challenges within the justice system, particularly regarding bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders.

Last Thursday, the presidents of three major police unions in Canada presented their concerns to the Commons justice committee. They emphasized the need for better resources to enforce laws effectively. One major issue is the difficulty in convicting individuals for breaching bail conditions, which creates a lack of documentation for future court appearances. This means that even if someone accumulates multiple bail-related charges, many may be dismissed through guilty pleas, leaving judges without a complete picture of the offender's history during subsequent bail hearings.

Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell noted that many officers are hesitant to pursue charges for simple drug possession. "Who’s laying a charge for simple possession?" he asked, explaining that officers often opt to seize drugs instead of filing charges, as federal prosecutors frequently withdraw such cases. This trend stems from a directive issued in 2020, which has continued to affect law enforcement practices.

Communication between police and Crown prosecutors is also hampered by outdated systems. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) is an antiquated database, while prosecutors rely on a fragmented array of systems across provinces. This lack of a unified platform complicates the sharing of crucial information, making it difficult for prosecutors to prepare adequately for bail hearings. Canadian Police Association President Tom Stamatakis pointed out that offenders moving between provinces often do not have their information transferred, leading to gaps in knowledge about their criminal history.

Monitoring bail compliance is another area of concern. Stamatakis stated, "They’re not [monitoring]. We don’t have the capacity to target repeat violent offenders that are released on bail to the extent that we should be." Police resources are limited, forcing them to prioritize which offenders to monitor based on their level of violence and available resources.

Additionally, police officers often cannot attend bail hearings to oppose the release of offenders due to their busy schedules. The gun confiscation initiative, which is projected to cost between $750 million and $6 billion, has been criticized by Campbell as ineffective for public safety. He pointed out that gangs responsible for violence in cities like Toronto primarily use illegal firearms sourced from the United States.

Campbell suggested that the funds allocated for the gun buyback program could be better spent on initiatives that would more effectively address the root causes of violence in urban areas. He urged local leaders, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Police Chief Myron Demkiw, to consider alternative uses for the substantial budget allocated to the gun confiscation plan.