Tories seek tighter bail in drug trafficking cases

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WINNIPEG — The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are demanding the Kinew government deliver on its election promise to strengthen bail and crack down on drug traffickers, after a Winnipeg man accused of importing 400 kilograms of meth into Manitoba was granted bail.

On Friday, Tory justice critic Wayne Balcaen said the province must push the federal Liberal government to tighten bail measures for people accused of trafficking high volumes of drugs.

“The PCs have led the charge nationally to get bail reform from the federal government and now that the NDP is here (as Manitoba government), they’ve barely moved on it,” the former Brandon police chief and current Brandon West MLA said.

On Thursday, Komalpreet Singh Sidhu, 29, was granted bail after being charged with importing, exporting and trafficking methamphetamine.

A day earlier, the Canada Border Services Agency revealed it had uncovered more than $50 million worth (police estimated) of the illicit substance while inspecting the semi-truck Sidhu was driving at the Boissevain border crossing on Jan. 14.

Law enforcement officials described the seizure as the single largest drug bust on the Prairies.

Sidhu was required to pay a $20,000 cash bail and put up a $100,000 surety, be subject to monitoring via an ankle bracelet and agree to court-ordered conditions preventing him from driving a truck.

Judge Patrick Sullivan said the quantity and nature of the drug makes the matter very serious, but determined the Crown’s concerns about Sidhu absconding and reoffending could be managed with a bail plan.

The allegations have not been tested in court and Sidhu is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Balcaen emphasized he is not critical of justice officials, but argued the NDP needs to the lead the charge to advocate for bail reform where large quantities of drugs are involved.

“It perpetuates violence. It perpetuates mental health, addictions, homelessness,” Balcaen said. “People are making large sums of money off the health and welfare of the general public.”

Premier Wab Kinew called the drug seizure and arrest significant.

“Everyone who has seen the quantity of drugs that was taken off the streets recognizes the importance of this, and our focus is on making bail reforms that keep communities safer,” Kinew said.

During the 2023 election campaign, the NDP promised to bring the hammer down on drug traffickers, implement the National Police Federation’s recommendations on bail reform, and make progress on those matters within 100 days of taking office.

Kinew said work to adopt the recommendations is underway. No additional information was provided Friday.

The federation has called on provinces to improve post bail release monitoring, establish standard qualifications for presiding over bail hearings, commit more resources to data collection and sharing, and to establish community bail enforcement monitoring programs.

The NDP government is working with law enforcement and other levels of government to deliver bail reform, the premier said.

He would not elaborate on potential discussions with Ottawa nor disclose if Manitoba has asked for any specific changes to the Criminal Code related to bail.

“We’ve definitely been in communication and engaging with our partners at other levels of government to make sure that bail is administered in a way that makes Manitobans safer,” Kinew said.

While in office, the former PC government pushed for reverse onus bail provisions for repeat violent offenders accused of using knives or bear spray to commit a crime.

In January, amendments to the Criminal Code came into force that create a new reverse onus provision for serious, repeat violent offenders who use weapons to commit a crime.

» Winnipeg Free Press