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Sunday, September 28, 2025

BONOKOSKI: The role of sureties in Canada’s revolving door justice system

By
Mark Bonokoski
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In all the recent talk around solving the “revolving door justice system,” one of the few approaches never discussed are the bail bondsmen.

They are not called that, of course, because they don’t exist in Canada, but do in the United States where many a drama has been written on those who skipped bail and left the bondsman holding the bag.

It usually doesn’t end well.

In Canada, instead, we have sureties — money in the form of cash or collateral (homes) which is put up by an individual to guarantee the suspect honours his or her bail conditions.

If not, the Crown attorney goes after the surety for the money, right? If only this were true, but it’s very rare.

In fact. senior OPP officers who worked years on criminal cases cannot recall a single scenario which saw the Crown going after a surety when their co-signer had skipped bail.

This makes the surety worthless. This makes the initial pledge worthless. And it drives police nuts.

New details were released about the two suspects charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an Ontario Provincial Police officer near Hagersville, ON, at January’s end.

Randall McKenzie, 25, from the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and Brandi Stewart-Sperry, 30, from Hamilton, are each facing first-degree murder in the shooting death of Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala.

In an update two days later, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said McKenzie had been banned from owning any firearm for life since 2018. Three years later, in 2021, McKenzie was charged with several firearms-related offences and assaulting a police officer.

Carrique said McKenzie was released on bail on a number of conditions, including remaining in his residence and not possessing any firearms. He was supposed to answer to the charges in September of this year, the commissioner said, but he failed to attend court.

 A warrant was later issued for his arrest.

Whoever signed on as his surety was a fool, but the odds of having the surety seized — whatever it was … house, guaranteed cash, Canada savings bonds — was somewhere betwixt slim and none.

Court documents show McKenzie was initially denied bail in December 2021 as he awaited trial in Hamilton on a number of charges after he allegedly assaulted three people, including a police officer, earlier that month. He was also facing a number of related weapons charges, including carrying a handgun with a defaced serial number.

But after the decision was reviewed, McKenzie was granted bail in June under strict conditions, including that he wear a GPS monitor, report to police twice a week, and not possess any weapons.

He was ordered to only leave his residence with his surety for medical emergencies, to attend meetings with his lawyer or to attend counselling recommended by a local Indigenous centre.

He also agreed to live with the fool who was his surety.

Seizing sureties pledges should be done in all serious cases where the charges involve guns. If it were a gone deal, and the seizure of the surety was an every-occurrence situation, perhaps he’d think twice about breaking bail conditions.

Perhaps others would think twice.

Even the most-hardened criminal, one would hope, would not want to see his mother thrown out of her house on account of him.

Stiffer jail sentences can come later. But first things first.

Speaking to reporters, OPP Commissioner Carrique said he was “outraged” that McKenzie had been out on bail before he allegedly killed Pierzchala.

“I know there’s a lot of interest to see that changes are made to ensure, where possible, people who are charged with violent offences that are firearms related are not in those positions moving forward,” he said during a news conference.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in turn, said Carrique’s comments were the latest plea for the federal government to address what he called the revolving door of violent criminals caused by “the failed bail system.”

“Too many innocent people have lost their lives at the hands of dangerous criminals who should have been behind bars — not on our streets,” Ford said in a statement.

“More must be done to fix a system that is far too often sacrificing the safety of our public and police officers instead of cracking down on the perpetrators who repeatedly commit these heinous crimes.

“Enough is enough.”

CAMPUS WATCH: Tampon, pad dispensers installed in Western University men’s room

By
Elie Cantin-Nantel
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Tampon and pad dispensers are being installed in men’s washrooms at the University of Western Ontario as part of a student union initiative to accommodate “students who menstruate.”

On its website, the Western University Student Council (USC) claims that females, transgender and “non-binary” peoples are not the only ones who experience periods.

“Menstrual products are a necessity for a large portion of Western’s population, and students who menstruate, including but not limited to female, non-binary, and transgender students, require access to these products in order to move through daily life,” reads the USC’s website.

According to the Western Gazette, the union plans on installing 150 Aunt Flow dispensers that feature free “100 percent organic cotton, biodegradable and synthetic-free tampons and pads” in men’s, women’s and gender-neutral washrooms.

The installation of dispensers is part of the USC’s “Free the Dot” initiative, a program the union launched in partnership with its food support services that offers students free hygiene products and contraception.

Last year, Western University announced that it would give the student union $800,000 over two years for the program.

The student union expects the dispensers to all be installed by the end of the winter semester. It also says it is making a map to show which washrooms on campus feature the free tampon and pad dispensers.

Western is not the first post-secondary institution to see the installation of feminine hygiene product dispensers in men’s washrooms. The University of Toronto installed 75 dispensers at its St. George campus last year, including in men’s washrooms. 

Several American Universities are also offering free tampons in male washrooms.

The latter is taking place amid a new progressive “gender-affirming” dialogue that claims that females are not the only ones who have periods. 

True North asked the Western University Student Council if it had completed a cost-benefit analysis for installing the dispensers in men’s washrooms – they did not respond in time for publication. Western University’s administration also did not respond to a request for comment.

B.C. man arrested in connection to axe-attack

By
Connor McDowell
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RCMP have arrested a suspect after he allegedly attacked a man with an axe.

Nanaimo RCMP arrested the 39-year-old on Monday, two days after he allegedly struck a man in the head with the blunt side of an axe at a bus stop.

A witness described the scene to CHEK News.

“We’re all friends,” said Orville Drake. “I don’t know, somebody said something, and he didn’t like it. And bam. An axe came out.”

RCMP have not released the suspect’s name.

Drake told CHEK that the victim was knocked unconscious at the bus stop just outside Port Place Mall.

The attacker fled the scene, and was not successfully tracked by police dogs.

An RCMP bike unit made the arrest on Monday.

The 30-year-old victim survived and was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. 

Two weeks before, a man died after being stabbed nearby.

CHEK News reported that Sergeui Chilliakhov died after staggering into the Port Place Mall with a stab wound, and collapsing on the floor outside a walk-in clinic, which was closed.

Governor-General pay bump unfair to taxpayers, advocate says

By
Connor McDowell
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Taxpayers chipped-in for a near $40,000 pay bump to the governor general while facing the economic struggles of the pandemic, according to a taxpayer advocate.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) says the governor general salary rose to roughly $340,000 after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Can the government prove the governor general is providing taxpayers with $40,000 in extra value?” said CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano. “The government continues to rubber stamp raises while Canadians are asking themselves if they can afford a package of ground beef.”

The raise adds up to about 13% – and marks another spot of tension between the CTF and the G-G position.

The CTF has previously criticized the lifelong expense accounts which former governor generals can effectively bill taxpayers for more than $200,000 per year. 

“They also receive a $150,000 a year pension regardless of how long they served,” Terrazzano notes.

The governor general’s salary is paid through the Government of Canada’s “Consolidated Revenue Fund,” which is made-up from the revenues of taxes and tariffs.

The Daily Brief | A different approach to Canada’s drug crisis

By
Anthony Furey
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The Trudeau government is expected to propose a plan to fund and reform Canada’s healthcare system when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the premiers in Ottawa on Tuesday.

Plus, the Alberta government takes a different approach to the drug crisis in comparison to provinces like BC and Ontario, as the first of six massive recovery communities will open later this month. The Red Deer Recovery Community will be the only one of its kind in the province.

And as the Trudeau government’s online censorship bill, Bill C-11, inches closer to becoming law, Canadians have taken to social media to share their opinions.

Tune into The Daily Brief with Anthony Furey and Rachel Emmanuel!

No arrests: Mendicino, Lucki testify over alleged Chinese police stations

By
Connor McDowell
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RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki confirmed the RCMP has not charged anyone in its ongoing investigation into four alleged Chinese-led police stations operating in Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area.

Lucki testified on Monday, alongside Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, that neither criminal nor diplomatic penalties have been levied as a result of the RCMP’s months-long investigation.

“If any of that had happened, then I could speak more to it […] but that is not the case,” said Lucki. 

“I would echo the response that you got from [Lucki],” said Mendicino. “If there are any actions which are taken, then the government will share that information when we can.”

The RCMP officially announced the investigation last November.

Lucki said the delay is due to a complex investigation process. She said RCMP cannot easily convert intelligence into admissible evidence – making it hard to file criminal charges.

The alleged police stations directed by the Chinese government are fronted by legitimate businesses, she said, which also thwart punitive action.

Lucki confirmed RCMP know the location of each alleged station, and have sent uniformed officers to the stations in order to cause a disruption.

Several MPs put questions to Lucki and Mendicino regarding the safety of affected constituents.

Liberal MP Jean Yip asked how non-English speaking Chinese-Canadians can seek advice for the intimidation they are facing.

Lucki said this issue was important, and the government has taken action to serve that group.

“That’s in fact why we created a 1-800 number, so if people don’t feel comfortable going to, for example, a police station, or are fearful, they can call the 1-800 number,” said Lucki. 

“We also have an email address that they can send their concerns [to]. That especially works well if the person’s first language is not English or French.”

Liberal MP Paul Chiang said 66% of his affected constituent base is Chinese, and they have come to him asking for help to ensure that something is done.

“We do know these places exist,” he said. “You mentioned you had uniformed police officers go there, but has anything been done to prevent any foreign interference?”

Lucki assured Chiang that an investigation has been launched, but said she could not share details. She said this is to protect the methods and the witnesses of the ongoing investigation.

NDP MP Heather MacPherson said her constituents do not feel protected or heard. MacPherson said affected Canadians complain to her that they reach out for help, but are passed around between the RCMP, the local police, and the government without receiving any answers.

“They’re not feeling like the government is taking care of them,” she said. “So minister, how do I respond to that? Because what you’re telling other members of this committee is that they are being protected, and what they are feeling is that they are not.”

Mendicino told MacPherson that her constituents are being protected by a network of active tools which prevent foreign interference in Canada. He added that his team is constantly doing outreach to these communities.

OP-ED: Why Canada needs a new watchdog focused on the municipal level

By
Stella Ambler
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Every day in Ottawa, opposition MPs demand answers from government ministers about how the billions they spend are making Canadians’ lives better. 

While Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Trudeau battle it out in the House of Commons, Canada’s cities and towns are quietly and stealthily taxing more, regulating more, and spending more taxpayer dollars – without facing the scrutiny their decisions deserve.  

As a volunteer, a staffer to elected officials and as a Member of Parliament, I have witnessed firsthand the daily accountability politicians face at the federal and provincial levels. 

Recently, I’ve been focused on the massive authority (and spending power!) that is held at the municipal level of government – and it’s startling how little attention is paid to what goes on in city and town halls across Canada. 

Cities and towns comprise a massive level of government that is reaching deeper into our pockets every year and affecting our daily lives more than ever. The actions of municipal officials are often left unchecked, and opposing voices are rare, unorganized and usually go unheard. Unlike the House of Commons or provincial legislatures, there’s no “official opposition” to hold municipal governments to account. 

For this reason, I created a non-partisan, grassroots watchdog organization, Municipal Watch. Municipal Watch will fight back against wasteful or bad policies that cost more, reduce quality of life in cities and towns across the country, and fail to put people first.

Together with concerned Canadians, Municipal Watch will work together as a coalition of “local watchdogs,” holding these governments to account. 

Canadians I’ve spoken with so far have identified numerous examples of what I’m calling “municipal madness.”

Edmonton, for example, voted for a 20% property tax increase over the next four years, Kitchener proposed a budget that included an 8.6% property tax increase for 2023, Vancouver will raise taxes by 4.5% this year, and city staff in Halifax proposed an 8% increase. 

These municipal tax hikes are not new. The Fraser Institute points out that property taxes (inflation adjusted) between 1991 and 2018 increased by 70%. Despite all of that new revenue, taxes continue to rise . Spending is up too (record increases in city staff salaries, for example). 

But it’s not just about taxation levels. The madness extends to municipal decisions of all types.

Victoria, BC for instance, now regulates how residents heat their homes and cook meals, by banning natural gas. In the City of Montreal, a permit is required to have a cozy wood burning fireplace at home.  The City of Calgary’s climate mitigation policy was a factor – tipping point, even – in the failure to clinch the deal for a new arena for the Calgary Flames. 

There is a need to expose overspending and bad policies at the municipal level and I’m getting the ball rolling. 

By using examples from across Canada and applying pressure, municipal decision-makers will sit up and take notice. The result will be municipal policies that put people first, municipal tax dollars that are spent wisely, and policies that allow businesses to succeed and individuals to have a better quality of life.

The federal government is held to account in Question Period and provincial politicians have opposition built in to their legislatures. Now, with your help, Municipal Watch will hold municipalities across Canada to account.

Stella Ambler, a former federal MP, is the President of Municipal Watch. www.municipalwatch.ca

Western University drops controversial mask mandate

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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The University of Western Ontario announced it would no longer make Covid-19 masking mandatory. 

In a Feb. 6, Covid-19 update Western University Vice-Presidents Florentine Strzelczyk and Lynn Logan attributed recent guidance by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health as being behind the decision.

Instead of mandating masks, Western University will only encourage students to wear masks like many other post-secondary institutions throughout the province have done for some time now. 

“Public health officials across the country agree that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, and as we learn to live with it, we will continue to adjust and adapt,” the statements reads.

“Effective today, Western will move from mandating masks in instructional spaces to strongly encouraging masks in crowded indoor spaces like large classes. This move is aligned with the advice of public health.” 

The university’s controversial decision to require masks at a time when most were doing away with stringent Covid-19 measures comes following a series of protests over the school’s heavy-handed pandemic approach. 

Last year, Western University scrapped its vaccine mandate for students after facing a series of legal challenges including by Christian students denied religious exemptions. 

Over the weekend, Wilfrid Laurier University also saw protests from students against the school’s mask mandate. 

Fourth-year philosophy student Kamil Bachouchi organized the protest via the group Students Against Mandates. 

He told True North that he wanted Laurier to “mandate our rights or mandate our freedom instead of mandating masks.”

What Canadians are saying about Bill C-11

By
Connor McDowell
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Bill C-11 is inching closer to becoming the law, and Canadians are weighing in.

The legislation, if passed, will take aim at Canadians’ online feeds. One such affected feed could be their homepage on YouTube, where content would be prioritized based on goals set out by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). 

Bill C-11 moved through the Senate last week, and is on its way back to the House of Commons, where it is expected to be passed.

In light of this, Canadians have taken to social media to share their opinions.

On Monday, prominent Canadian internet and e-commerce law professor Michael Geist said trust is waning in the CRTC because it acts like an arm of the government instead of acting like an independent regulator.

“Just last week […] Rodriguez told an industry conference that he could ‘direct the CRTC on many things and in many ways,’” wrote Geist on Substack.

On Twitter, he wrote the government may have “lost the script” about Bill C-11.

Canadian YouTuber J.J McCullough took aim at the CRTC, referring to it as a “federal bureaucracy trying to regulate the Internet around nonsense vision statements.”

Twitter user Cheryl Robinson said the bill offended her freedom of expression and infringed on her right to choose what she views online.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote that “even Trudeau’s appointed Senators are opposing his attempt to censor what you can see and say online.” He was referring to a speech given by Senator and novelist David Adams Richards.

While some Canadians have criticized Bill C-11, the Liberal government maintains that the criticisms are misplaced.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the bill is designed to promote Canadian content creators, and to protect Canadian heritage. He said the Liberals will not compromise on that goal by making conflicting amendments, such as some of those introduced by the Senate last week.

Ratio’d | This is NOT GOOD for Canada

By
Harrison Faulkner
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One of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s main narratives has been “Canada is broken,” alluding to the number of issues plaguing Canadians in recent months – ranging from the inflation crisis, increasing crime rates and much more.

#CanadaIsBroken has been trending on Twitter for the past month and over the weekend, polling firm Leger conducted a survey asking Canadians if they agree with the slogan. The results of that survey do not spell good news for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government.

On the latest episode of Ratio’d, Harrison Faulkner breaks down the ongoing battle between Poilievre and Trudeau over the state of the nation.

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