North Bay Police Chief Scott Tod and Timmins Chief Daniel Foy have been commended for their commitment to bail reform and the impacts of property damage in northern Communities by the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.
Recently, Tod and Foy announced their retirements.
"They have served their respective communities with exemplary dedication," says a FONOM news release.
Earlier this year, FONOM partnered with four police chiefs in northeastern Ontario and created the Bail Reform and Property Crime Taskforce,
“Daniel and Scott were not only strong leaders in their communities they were instrumental in northern Ontario having a voice on necessary changes to Bill 75,” said FONOM President Danny Whalen,
Bill 75 is An Act to amend the Criminal Code, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
In May, at the FONOM AGM in Parry Sound, the Taskforce wrote a resolution asking for four changes to Bill C75.
Within the month, 70 support resolutions were passed by communities in the north.
The four main points of the resolution were:
- Create a designation of a chronic persistent offender.
- Allow community impact statements at bail hearings.
- Create reverse onus in bail for all firearms offences.
- All bail-related gun charges go to the superior court for bail release.
Later that month, Bill 48 was introduced by Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti. which will amend the Criminal Code.
"Chief Foy and Chief Tod, as vital members of the Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police, were strong advocates for the challenges northern cities and communities are experiencing," says a release.
"The FONOM Board would like to thank these gentlemen for their work on behalf of northeastern Ontario, and their efforts have helped lay a strong foundation for improving society."
