Kamloops-area MP Frank Caputo has tabled a private member’s bill in the House of Commons to make it constitutional to automatically hold repeat offenders in custody in certain circumstances.

“Today I tabled Private Member’s Bill C-274, which will directly address street crime though tightening of bail,” Caputo said on twitter. “Crime has been a constant issue brought to my office and this is one way I am attempting to address it.”

His bill was seconded by Central Okanagan – Similkameen – Nicola MP, Dan Albas.

“This Bill would create a “presumptive detention” for those who are accused of three indictable offences with a maximum penalty of five years greater,” Caputo, a former Crown Prosecutor, said, in a statement.

“It would only target those that commit serious offences and would give judges discretion to release when there are exceptional reasons to do so.”

Caputo says the 2020 Supreme Court of Canada decision R. versus Zora “changed the landscape of bail” by making prosecution for breaches more difficult and by making detention awaiting trial exceptionally rare.

“This has had significant impacts on law enforcement and put serious strain on policing resources,” Caputo said.

“Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Syd Lecky recently stated that approximately 5 per cent of all offenders are creating 90 per cent of their work. This is due to offenders being able to frequently reoffend for the same crime while awaiting trial.”

He says the Liberal government has failed to act on the issue, despite the pleas from both municipalities and law enforcement officials.

“They are continuing their soft-on-crime approach and their unwillingness to act shows they are siding with violent offenders rather than victims,” Caputo said. “Simply put, parliament must respond to this court decision. Bill C-274 gives parliament an opportunity to respond.”

“Residents of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo are begging for changes in the law so that crime can be addressed. These requests have fallen on deaf ears. It’s time we give law enforcement the tools needed to protect victims and keep the public safe.”

MP Caputo will be joining the NL Morning News to discuss his bill at 8:20 a.m. Friday, May 20.