“We can’t keep going this way:” Prince George businesses hope change comes with upcoming election

“Bail reform, criminal code changes, these things need to be done at the federal level. Municipally and provincially, we can cry until we’re blue in the face, but it takes the federal government changing those laws to effect real change to create positive change,” said John Zukowski, Spokesperson for the Prince George Business Advocacy Group.

Changes to bail reform have been promised by both the federal Liberal and Conservative parties.

“Toughen the Criminal Code and make bail laws stricter for violent and organized crime, home invasions, car stealings, and human trafficking – including and especially for repeat offenders,” says the Liberal Party’s website.

“Catch-and-release policies and the removal of mandatory jail time for violent gun crimes fail to protect those most at risk. Conservatives will give criminals jail, not bail, and bring home safe streets,” says the Conservative Party’s website.

Foley and Zukowski say this reform and the end of “catch-and-release” can’t come soon enough, as this has been a problem that has has serious consequences for businesses and residents alike.

“Bottom line is: the laws are guardrails. If the laws aren’t being upheld, why do we have them? That’s what it comes down to, regardless of party, the laws that we have are there as guardrails to prevent misuse and miscarriage of justice. Currently, as it stands, victims are being victimized again by our judicial system because there is no penalties for crimes that are being committed against them,” Zukowski said.

“We see judges release people over and over again that have already proven themselves to contradict their own release clauses,” Foley said.

Another major part of the Liberal’s promises is hiring significantly more police officers and border patrol, as well as increasing funding for police resources. Foley says more police certainly isn’t a negative thing, but believes this move wouldn’t be that impactful without bail reform.

“It’s a nice headline to say ‘we need more police resources’ and everything like that. And I don’t necessarily disagree, and I certainly wouldn’t want to take away any police resources, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. If the, court system is completely under-resourced to handle the cases that the police are bringing to them, then why keep piling on?” Foley said.

“It needs to be all done together, and we know we need a complete working system and not just to piecemeal it and simply put in resources to one section of the system. That won’t do it,” Foley continued.

Zukowski had a similar sentiment, adding that there must be significant changes from whichever party will next rule Canada.

“When you have somebody that has the ability to turn around and commit crimes helter-skelter dozens and dozens of times, and they’ve got a file longer than both of your arms put together, they have a criminal history. We have to take them off the street,” he said, speaking on the importance of bail reform so tried criminals aren’t released.

Election day is April 28, with advance polling taking place April 18 to 21.

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by Tommy Osborne

“We can’t keep going this way:” Prince George businesses hope change comes with upcoming election

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