by Jason Tarnow | Jul 14, 2026 | Crime, Criminal Attorney, Legal Rights, Police, Wheels Of Justice
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer with years of experience navigating the complexities of Canadian criminal law in British Columbia courts, I’ve seen firsthand how legislative changes can reshape the justice system. With the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14) now law and set to take effect on July 15, 2026, we’re on the cusp of significant shifts in how bail hearings and sentencing proceed across Canada, particularly here in Vancouver where issues like organized crime, auto theft, and repeat offending hit close to home.
This timely reform arrives amid ongoing public concerns about community safety in BC. In this post, I’ll break down the key changes in Bill C-14, their legal context, and what they mean for defendants, practitioners, and the broader criminal justice landscape in Vancouver and beyond.
The Road to Bill C-14: Context in Canadian Criminal Law
Bill C-14 introduces over 80 targeted amendments to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and related statutes. It responds to calls from law enforcement, provinces (including BC), and victims’ advocates for stricter measures against violent and repeat offenders, while aiming to maintain Charter protections.
Historically, Canadian bail law has been guided by principles from the Supreme Court of Canada, such as in R. v. Antic (2017), which emphasized the “ladder principle” (least onerous conditions) and the “principle of restraint” favoring release where appropriate. The Charter’s section 11(e) guarantees the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause. Sentencing has balanced denunciation, deterrence, rehabilitation, and proportionality under section 718 of the Criminal Code.
Bill C-14 refines these without fully upending them, but it tilts the balance toward public safety in specific high-risk scenarios. As reforms come into force this week, defence counsel in Vancouver must adapt quickly.
Key Changes to Bail Laws: Harder for Repeat and Violent Offenders
One of the most impactful areas is bail. Bill C-14 expands reverse onus provisions, where the accused must demonstrate why release is justified rather than the Crown proving detention is necessary. New or expanded reverse onuses now apply to:
- Break and enter of a dwelling-house.
- Trafficking in persons and human smuggling.
- Assaults and sexual assaults involving choking, suffocation, or strangulation.
- Extortion involving violence.
- Serious violent offences where the accused has two or more prior similar convictions.
- Expansion of the prior conviction window from 5 to 10 years for certain weapon-related violence.
Courts must now consider additional factors, such as random or unprovoked violence, the number and seriousness of outstanding charges (enhancing the tertiary ground for detention), and specific conditions like weapons prohibitions for extortion and organized crime cases. The “ladder principle” is clarified not to apply in reverse onus situations, and certain prior serious offenders are restricted from acting as sureties.
For Vancouver practitioners, this means more rigorous bail plans are essential. In BC Supreme Court or Provincial Court hearings, we’ll need to present compelling evidence addressing public safety risks—perhaps through enhanced surety supervision, electronic monitoring, or treatment programs. Clients facing auto theft, home invasion, or organized crime charges (prevalent in the Lower Mainland) will face heightened scrutiny.
Sentencing Reforms: Tougher Consequences and Consecutive Terms
On the sentencing side, Bill C-14 introduces or expands aggravating factors for crimes against first responders, public transit workers, organized retail theft, and interference with essential infrastructure (e.g., copper theft). Judges must prioritize denunciation and deterrence for repeat violent auto theft and break-and-enter. Consecutive sentences are mandated or strongly considered in cases like extortion paired with arson, or multiple violent offences.
Additional measures include ending conditional sentences (house arrest) for certain serious sexual offences against minors and restoring driving prohibitions for manslaughter or criminal negligence causing death/bodily harm.
These changes align with trends in BC, where prolific offenders and retail crime have strained resources. However, they raise questions about over-incarceration, court delays, and the effectiveness of deterrence for root causes like addiction and mental health—issues defence lawyers address daily in Vancouver.
Implications for Defendants and Defence Practice in Vancouver
For those accused in BC, the practical effects are clear: bail hearings will be more adversarial and evidence-heavy, especially in reverse onus cases. Defence counsel must build stronger records early—gathering character references, risk assessments, and community support plans. In Vancouver, where courthouse backlogs persist, prolonged pre-trial detention could pressure pleas or complicate trials.
From a Charter perspective, these reforms will likely face challenges. Past SCC decisions underscore that bail must remain reasonable and not punitive. Defence lawyers will monitor for overbreadth or violations of presumption of innocence. For repeat offenders, the emphasis on public safety is understandable, but it must not erode individualized justice.
As a Vancouver criminal defence lawyer, I see opportunities too. Strong advocacy can still secure release with tailored plans, and at sentencing, mitigating factors like Gladue principles for Indigenous clients or rehabilitation efforts remain vital. These reforms underscore the need for early intervention and robust defence strategies.
Provincial implementation in BC will be key. Adequate resources for bail supervision, mental health supports, and court capacity are essential to avoid unintended consequences like overcrowded jails.
Broader Impacts on the Justice System and Public Safety
Bill C-14 reflects a policy shift toward accountability for serious crime while acknowledging that laws alone aren’t sufficient. Supporters, including BC officials and police, highlight benefits for victims and communities plagued by repeat offending. Critics, including some civil liberties groups, worry about reduced discretion and potential Charter issues.
For law students and the public, this is a prime example of how criminal law evolves in response to societal pressures. In Vancouver’s diverse context—with its challenges around organized crime, homelessness, and downtown eastside issues—balanced implementation matters.
Long-term, data collection mandated by the Act (annual bail reports) will help evaluate effectiveness. A five-year parliamentary review is also required.
Practical Takeaways for Clients and Practitioners
- Act Early: If facing charges potentially impacted by Bill C-14 (effective July 15, 2026), consult defence counsel immediately to prepare for stricter bail processes.
- Build Comprehensive Plans: Focus on risk mitigation—treatment, employment, housing—for bail and sentencing.
- Stay Informed: Reforms affect youth justice and specific offences; nuances matter.
- Advocate Holistically: While tougher laws address safety, support for prevention and rehabilitation remains crucial.
In my practice defending clients across Vancouver and BC, I remain committed to upholding rights within the evolving framework. These changes demand vigilance but also skilled, strategic representation.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique—contact a qualified Vancouver criminal defence lawyer for personalized guidance on your situation.
by Jason Tarnow | Feb 24, 2022 | Crime, Media, Police
A Vancouver man suffering from long haul COVID-19 symptoms was successful in the judicial review of his 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (“IRP”) after arguing that the Adjudicator breached his right to procedural fairness in his original review to RoadSafety BC.
On February 11, 2021, Peter Ronald Gibson was issued an IRP after the police officer alleged he refused to provide a sample. Mr. Gibson made 7 attempts into the Approved Screening Device, none of which successfully yielded a suitable sample. As a result, his vehicle was impounded for 30 days, and he was prohibited from driving for 90 days.
Mr. Gibson sought a review of his IRP to RoadSafety BC, delegate of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles on the basis that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to provide a breath sample. In Mr. Gibson’s original review, he provided evidence in the form of his Affidavit. He also provided a letter from his physician that confirmed his diagnosis – he was suffering from long term symptoms as a result of COVID-19, including shortness of breath on exertion.
The letter reads:
“His physical examination shows evidence of post-viral reactive airways with sever forced expiratory wheeze. He has been given prescriptions for Flovent and Salbutamol inhalers today. This could contribute to his difficulty performing breathalyzer test during recent traffic stop”
The Adjudicator at RoadSafety BC rejected the letter from Mr. Gibson’s physician, stating that there was no evidence that the physician was aware of the “minimum flow rate (of breath)” required to provide a sample. Mr. Gibson also provided his own Affidavit, which confirmed that he had been referred for treatment, which included CT scans and chest x-rays, among other diagnostic tests.
Keep in mind that the role of the Adjudicator is to analyze whether Mr. Gibson had a reasonable excuse for failing to provide a sample. The analysis is done through review of the Report to Superintendent and all included materials, and also through review of all materials provided by the Applicant (in this case, Mr. Gibson). The Adjudicator may also rely on the Operator’s manual for the Alco-Sensor FST (the Approved Screening Device), which includes information such as proper operating temperature of the device, screen codes, and procedural standards.
Ultimately, the Adjudicator determined that Mr. Gibson’s version of events lacked credibility, and that his physician did not provide sufficient evidence that his medical condition would have prevented him from providing a suitable sample into the Alco-Sensor FST. In doing so, they advanced their interpretation of the testing requirements within the Operator’s manual – specifically, the wording used to describe the necessary airflow required to provide a sample:
“The Alco-Sensor FST has an automatic sampling system designed to ensure that a sample of deep lung air is obtained and analyzed. In order to trigger automatic sampling the subject must blow with a minimum flow rate, must produce a minimum breath volume, and blow for a minimum duration…”
On judicial review, Supreme Court Justice Tammen took issue with the Adjudicator’s interpretation of this issue. The Judge dissected the Adjudicator’s analysis and concluded that despite quoting the appropriate resource, the manual itself provided no information to estimate the “minimum” flow rate required.
Through the Adjudicator’s analysis, Justice Tammen determined that they had relied on information (relating to the required flow rate of a sample) that was not available to the Petitioner (or his physician) at the outset of his review with RoadSafety BC. This breached the Petitioner’s right to procedural fairness.
Justice Tammen directed that the Adjudicator’s decision confirming the IRP of the Petitioner be set aside, and that the matter be remitted to RoadSafety BC for a new hearing.
This case demonstrates a significant flaw in the IRP regime – that is, a blurring of the lines between adjudication and medical expertise. While adjudicators may have specialized knowledge of certain issues due to continued exposure via their employment, the boundaries in their role must be respected and enforced.
If you have received an Immediate Roadside Prohibition, an Administrative Driving Prohibition, or have been charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, contact an experienced criminal lawyer at Tarnow Criminal Law as soon as possible. Our office is located in the heart of Richmond, only 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver on the Canada Line, and within 10 minutes of Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”).
Our firm is also licensed to work in the Yukon Territory, where the 90-day review process for impaired driving is an entirely different process. If you are facing impaired driving charges in the Yukon, contact our office as soon as possible for a consultation.
by Jason Tarnow | Apr 21, 2020 | Crime, Criminal Attorney, Legal Aid, Legal Rights, Media, Politics, Uncategorized, Wheels Of Justice
It has been over one month since the Courts of British Columbia significantly curtailed operations in an attempt to combat COVID-19.
For many of those who work in the legal field, it was this development that made it all real. It quickly became clear that the novel coronavirus had the potential to spread quickly, and the confined space of a courtroom serves as ideal grounds for transmission.
Despite the coronavirus acting as a proverbial wrench in the gears of justice, the judicial system continues to putter along. This is largely due to increased utilization of technological tools like video/conferencing for court appearances and swearing of affidavits, and relaxing restrictions when it comes to fax/electronic filing of court documents.
Video conferencing isn’t new to the BC court system. As early as 2002, Judges across the province agreed that the technology improved procedural efficiency by facilitating witness testimony from distant locations and allowing interim appearances by video involving counsel from other jurisdictions. Judges also noted the value of video- conferencing for inmates at correctional centres – defeating the purpose of transferring multiple inmates from various correctional centres to various courthouses. The bottom line is that modernizing certain aspects of the criminal justice system makes sense financially and systemically – and events like COVID-19 demonstrate how it can have occupational benefits too.
At present, there is enormous value in modernizing certain judicial processes for two reasons – one, to limit face-to-face interactions between judicial staff, defence counsel and an Accused person, and two, to mitigate the consequences of what can only be described as colossal delay.
In reducing operations, the majority of criminal trials scheduled between March 18, 2020 and June 1, 2020, have been adjourned generally to dates in June and July, 2020. Cases that are deemed to be of an urgent nature will be able to proceed, although in a procedural sense, things will look different – for example, witnesses who would ordinarily appear before the Court to give evidence may be authorized to testify via video. For the most part, however, trials will proceed at a date that is likely much later than originally anticipated.
The situation is more grim for accused persons in custody awaiting their trial. Inmates are, of course, among the most vulnerable to contracting the novl coronavirus – a concern that was a topic of discussion before the courts closed – but didn’t really become part of the actual narrative until it was too late Trials for accused persons in custody have also been adjourned (for trials scheduled between March 23 and May 16, 2020). Sentencing hearings and bail hearings for accused persons will proceed. This could be positive – for some, it might result in their immediate release from the correctional system. For others, further incarceration for as little as an additional 90 days in custody will be devastating, a potential death sentence.
It is far too early to gauge how overwhelmed the court system will be at the return to business as usual – but when you consider that there was a huge backlog before COVID-19 shut it all down, it seems only reasonable that extreme measures – such as implementing night/weekend court, and permanently authorizing certain modernization measures – will need to be taken to truly return to normal.
by Jason Tarnow | Sep 23, 2019 | Crime, Criminal Attorney, Legal Aid, Legal Rights, Police, Wheels Of Justice
Bill C-75 received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. The Act amends the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (“YCJA”), the Victim Surcharge Bill (C-28), the Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons Bill (Bill C-38), and the Unconstitutional provisions Bill (Bill C-39).
Lacking a comprehensive amendment since 1972, the bail provisions of the Criminal Code have been revised to address concerns that have been mounting for several decades. The Act seeks to simplify the judicial interim release process by expanding the conditions on which the police can release an Accused person, thereby making an appearance before a Justice unnecessary. The Act will also seek to reduce judicial delay by ensuring that release conditions are not redundant, unrealistic or overly complex, and that sureties are not overburdened.
If successful, the amendments relating to bail will result in fewer Administration of Justice Offences (“AOJO”) being brought before the Canadian courts. In any event, the Act has laid new framework by which these offences will be dealt with. Offences of this nature are offences that are “committed against the integrity of the justice system”, including but not limited to: failing to comply with bail conditions (no contact, no-go, abstinence alcohol/drugs to name a few), failure to appear in court, and breach of probation. Amendments to the Act provide that these offences will be directed to a judicial referral hearing when appropriate, as opposed to immediately laying a breach charge. At a judicial referring hearing, rather than focus on the guilt or innocence of the accused, the Judge will review the conditions imposed, and will decide how to proceed. Judicial referral hearings will not appear on a person’s criminal record – however, if a person does not appear for their hearing, the investigating police officer may use their discretion to either drop or proceed with the charge. Since Administration of Justice Offences account for about 4 out of every 10 incidents reported by police, removing these matters from the traditional court process will likely have a substantial impact on managing judicial delay.
The Act amends several portions of the YCJA. Firstly, it limits the conditions that can be placed on a young person upon their release from custody, in hopes of avoiding breaches that occur only due to unnecessarily rigid conditions. The intended result will be lower frequencies of Administration of Justice Offences. Additionally, prosecutors will no longer be obligated to consider an adult sentence for youth charged with serious violent offences, and are no longer obligated to bring that decision to the attention of the Court. The Crown will also not be obligated to consider an adult sentence for a youth convicted of a serious, violent offence.
In the interests of addressing delay, the Act has also removed certain elements of the judicial process, many of which could likely hinder an Accused person’s ability to make full answer and defence to the charges against them. Firstly, the Act restricts the availability of Preliminary Inquiries to offences that carry a maximum punishment of 14 years or more in prison (previously, any indictable offence could attract a Preliminary Hearing). Preliminary Hearings are an excellent opportunity for the Crown, Defence and Judge to assess the strength of the prosecution’s case. It assists with judicial case management, providing insight into the length of time required for witnesses to give their evidence, issues requiring a Voir Dire, and the number of days required for trial. In certain instances, it may also provide an opportunity for the defence to consider a resolution proposal, in circumstances where the evidence presented guides such a decision. Additionally, the Act permits Judges to limit the issues explored during a Prelim, and which witnesses may be called. It goes without saying that indictable matters aside from first degree murder and aggravated sexual assault are deserving of a Preliminary Hearing.
The Act also modifies the procedure for jury selection. Peremptory challenges, which allowed counsel to reject a potential juror without requiring a reason, have been abolished. There were serious concerns surrounding the misuse of peremptory challenges to ensure the jury was of a particular composition – one that would be adverse to the interests of the Accused.
The objective of the Act, broadly, is to reduce judicial delay by targeting and eliminating systemic flaws that impede the wheels of justice from turning as they should – but constitutional challenges are still to be expected.
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, it is crucial that you contact an experienced criminal lawyer without delay. We are conveniently located in Richmond, B.C., only a few steps away from Brighouse Station on the Canada Line, which brings you from various locations in Metro Vancouver in 20 minutes. We service all areas of the lower mainland (including but not limited to Surrey, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and Abbotsford) the interior of B.C. (including but not limited to Cranbrook, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Salmon Arm), Northern B.C. (including but not limited to Prince George, Prince Rupert, and Quesnel) and in the Yukon Territory where we offer services in Whitehorse, Dawson City, Faro, Mayo, and Old Crow. Contact our office today to speak to a criminal defence lawyer without delay.
