In a recent segment of CBC’s BC Today with host Michelle Elliott, Rob Dhanu KC, co-founder of Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group, joined Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West to discuss the federal government’s proposed bail reform legislation. The bill, introduced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, aims to tighten bail conditions by expanding reverse-onus provisions — requiring certain accused individuals to prove why they should be released rather than automatically granted bail.
This topic has sparked strong reactions across British Columbia, with many mayors and community members calling for tougher measures against chronic offenders, while legal experts warn that these reforms may not address the deeper causes of crime.
In this conversation, Rob Dhanu brings a legal perspective rooted in both prosecution and defence experience — cutting through the politics to examine what will (and won’t) actually make communities safer.
CBC Radio — BC Today: Bail Reform Debate (Edited Transcript)
Host (Michelle Elliott):
The federal Liberal government will table legislation this week aimed at cracking down on crime. A key element is bail reform — introducing what’s called reverse-onus bail for some crimes.
Prime Minister Mark Carney:
In most bail hearings, the starting point is release, and the Crown must prove why someone should not be released on bail. That makes it too easy for repeat violent offenders to quickly get back on the street, sometimes back into the same communities where they just committed crimes.
Our new law will flip that script by creating new reverse-onus bail provisions for violent and organized-crime-related offences.
Host:
That’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Bail reform is something a number of B.C. mayors have called for, arguing that chronic offenders keep returning to the community. Some legal groups, however, say reverse-onus bail won’t solve the real issues around crime.
We’re taking your calls: do you believe bail reform will improve public safety?
Call #690 on your cell phone, 1-800-825-5950, or 604-669-3733.
You can also comment on TikTok or email bctoday@cbc.ca
I’m pleased to welcome two guests: Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam, and Rob Dhanu, KC, a former Crown prosecutor now a defence lawyer and co-founder of Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group in Abbotsford.
Good afternoon to both of you.
Opening Views
Host:
Mayor West, this has been an ongoing issue for you and other mayors. What are your thoughts on the announcement that a federal bill on bail reform is coming?
Mayor Brad West:
I’m pleased to hear it. I think it’s going to help — will it solve everything? No. But it needs to be part of the solution. In many communities, a very small number of people are committing a large number of crimes and continue to do so. Sometimes they’re released so quickly it makes your head spin. That’s why you’ve seen a diverse group of mayors across the political spectrum come together to say this has to be part of government’s response.
Host:
What’s been the impact in Port Coquitlam?
Mayor West:
Police officers are frustrated — they arrest the same individuals over and over. You can almost set your watch to a prolific offender being released and then crime going up again. It’s incredibly frustrating for communities — from shoplifting and property theft to violent crime. People have had enough and want government to protect the public.
Host:
Mr. Dhanu, you’ve called the focus on bail reform a red herring. Why?
Rob Dhanu, KC:
It’s important to have an honest conversation about what’s really happening. There’s pressure on all levels of government to act on public disorder, but when we look at what’s being proposed — these four pillars and additional funding — we have to ask: will this actually reduce crime on the streets? The answer is no.
Host:
Why not?
Rob Dhanu, KC:
Because this is mostly a re-wrap of what already exists. Reverse-onus bail already applies to terrorism, organized crime, repeat offending, and repeat domestic offenders. Two years ago, more reverse-onus provisions were added for violent and domestic offenders. Have we seen change? Not really.
Prime Minister Carney also mentioned consecutive sentences — but those already exist. Judges must impose them when crimes are different in nature or occur at different times. This isn’t new law, it’s rebranding.
Callers & Reactions
Host:
Do you believe bail reform will improve public safety?
604-669-3733 or 1-800-825-5950. You can also email bctoday@cbc.ca
Caller — Lyndon (Victoria):
I’ve been waiting for a bill like this and even contacted my MP. We’ve had repeat thefts and assaults here. There needs to be more consequences — compassion, yes, but also accountability. Otherwise, it’s a revolving door.
Host:
Mr. Dhanu, in Kelowna, for example, officials said 15 individuals accounted for 1,300 police files in one year. How do you respond?
Rob Dhanu, KC:
Those concerns are valid. Everyone’s noticing more disorder, but the question is why these people keep reoffending. If bail laws are the same pre- and post-pandemic, but crime is up, the causes lie elsewhere: mental health crises, the opioid epidemic, economic hardship, joblessness, and homelessness. Until we address those root causes, we won’t see meaningful change.
Host:
Mayor West, some say bail reform is an easy political win. You’ve also called for hiring more Crown prosecutors and mandatory treatment. How do you respond to criticism that bail reform alone won’t fix the system?
Mayor West:
If this is just duplication, then why aren’t we seeing results? I’m always skeptical of flashy government announcements that don’t lead to follow-through. The real issue is decision-making — why are so many decision-makers in our legal system failing the public?
In Kelowna, a man released on bail went on to murder his ex-wife. We can’t call these isolated incidents anymore. They’re happening too often, showing the system needs deep reform. It’s not just about new laws — it’s about enforcement, interpretation, and accountability.
In my region, people released from Colony Farm Forensic Psychiatric Institute have gone on to harm or even kill innocent people. The system is too comfortable rolling the dice on release instead of prioritizing detention when it’s clearly warranted.
Host:
Mr. Dhanu, that case involved the killing of Bailey McCourt. The accused had a prior domestic-violence conviction. What does that say about our justice system?
Rob Dhanu, KC:
What happened to Ms. McCourt is tragic, and no one in the justice system wants that. But we have to remember: in a democracy, laws can only change so much around the edges. If we jailed every accused person to feel safe, that wouldn’t be democracy — it’d be authoritarianism.
Think of places like Dubai: you can leave your wallet on your car, but you can also be jailed for saying the wrong thing. Canada balances safety and rights. It’s not perfect, but that balance is what keeps us free.
More Callers
Email — Randy:
Bail reform is an over-amplified echo of American politics. It’s a weak attempt to look tough on crime and distract from the real issue — inequality in the justice system. The wealthy can afford top lawyers and get lighter sentences, while the poor go to prison. The system rarely changes.
Caller — Kim (Vernon):
I’m a former foster kid and now a social worker. Before we talk about bail reform, we need to fix foster care. Foster youth are overrepresented in the justice system because we don’t have enough family homes. Group homes often call police for things a family would handle at home. A 2016 study found foster kids are more likely to get a criminal record than a high school diploma. Youth aging out of care also reoffend due to lack of support. We need early intervention.
Caller — Paul (Vancouver):
It’s a start, but judges don’t live with the results of their decisions. If they had to house the offenders they release, things would change fast. They live in ivory towers, disconnected from the realities of crime on the streets.
Caller — Ben (Fort St. John):
Yes, we need to fix root causes, but we’ve also got a house on fire right now. You can’t argue about how it started while it’s burning. We need immediate steps to deal with repeat and violent offenders and long-term fixes at the same time.
Solutions & Closing
Host:
Mr. Dhanu, what solutions do you want to see?
Rob Dhanu, KC:
Kim’s call was excellent — we need systemic fixes. For example, in Manitoba, Crown prosecutors filed a grievance saying they’re about 20% understaffed. They can’t handle their bail dockets properly, so mistakes happen.
In Ontario, Crowns and police are forming integrated teams to target repeat violent offenders. They’re expanding electronic monitoring and using forfeited bail money to fund the system. These are the kinds of operational improvements that work — not recycled announcements.
Host:
Mayor West, final word?
Mayor West:
We need both approaches. Governments have failed to address mental health, addiction, and inequality, but that can’t excuse letting a small number of people repeatedly harm our communities. We need accountability and a clear focus on public safety alongside better supports. Both can happen at once.
Host:
Thank you both.
My guests today were Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam, and Rob Dhanu, KC, co-founder of Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group.
We’re continuing to take your comments — many asking why we’re not focusing on rehabilitation or suggesting the government’s bill should extend to property crimes.
You can send your thoughts to bctoday@cbc.ca
I’m Michelle Elliott. Thanks for listening. Have a great afternoon — we’ll talk tomorrow.
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At Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group, we believe that meaningful justice reform goes beyond headlines. As Rob Dhanu KC highlighted on BC Today, true public safety requires balance — between protecting communities and upholding fundamental rights, and between short-term measures and long-term solutions addressing addiction, mental health, and inequality.
Our team continues to advocate for a justice system that is effective, fair, and grounded in real-world outcomes. For legal insight or representation in criminal, family, or immigration matters, contact Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group at 604-746-3330 or visit DDLaw.ca.
