On July 15, 2026, the federal Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14) came into force after receiving Royal Assent in June. It is the largest set of changes to Canadian bail law in years, and it applies to every bail hearing in Ontario.

The big picture

Parliament's stated goal is to make release harder for people accused of violent, repeat, or organized offences. The law does this in three main ways: it adds new situations where the accused must justify their own release (a "reverse onus"), it narrows two long-standing principles that favoured release, and it asks courts to weigh new factors when deciding whether someone stays in custody.

What has not changed

The presumption of innocence still applies. The Charter still guarantees the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause. A bail hearing still has to happen promptly, and the Crown still has to justify detention in most cases. The three grounds for detention — attending court, public safety, and confidence in the justice system — remain the framework.

Why preparation matters more now

With more cases falling into a reverse onus and less room to argue for the least restrictive release, the quality of the release plan can decide the outcome. Courts will look closely at who the sureties are, where the accused will live, how they will be supervised, and what conditions address the specific risks raised by the Crown.

If a loved one has just been arrested, the most useful thing you can do is call a bail lawyer early so a strong plan can be prepared before the first appearance.