The Alberta government has implemented a new GPS monitoring program aiming to fight Canada’s catch-and-release bail system that has let high-risk and repeat offenders roam free.
The provincial ankle bracelet electronic monitoring program officially launched on Wednesday.
The program will allow offenders and accused who are deemed a public safety risk to be subject to court-ordered 24/7 electronic monitoring by Alberta Correctional Services.
“Ottawa’s Bill C-75 has broken the bail system… High-risk offenders pose a significant risk to public safety and require enhanced supervision in the community,” said Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis. “Ankle bracelet electronic monitoring is another tool in the toolbox for courts to consider when determining sentencing or bail conditions, helping us combat rising crime and create safer Alberta communities.”
Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers previously called on the federal government to reform the bail system following various murders by those out on bail.
The federal government shifted the blame to the provinces, saying it was up to them to fix the crime issues caused by the catch-and-release bail system.
The Alberta government said ankle bracelet monitoring will help secure offender-restricted areas such as victims’ residences, places of employment, and other areas deemed off-limits by an accused’s bail release conditions.
The previous system saw probation officers monitor high-risk individuals only during regular business hours and did not include GPS monitoring.
Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery said that the province remains committed to the safety of Albertans by implementing measures like ankle monitors and by strengthening the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, and policing so that Albertans are protected from violent criminals.
“Alberta’s government continues to call for federal bail and sentencing reform to stop violent criminals from re-entering our communities,” said Amery.
The Alberta government allocated $2.8 million to cover the implementation costs for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Alberta previously released a provincial police force plan and stricter penalties for repeat offenders. Bill 11, which was part of the previous announcement, provides the legislative amendments to establish the ankle monitoring program for violent and sexual offenders out on bail.
The ankle bracelet monitoring program is part of the Alberta United Conservative Party’s Safe Streets Action Plan, which has various measures to increase public safety for Albertans.