Tories, NDP oppose release of food tariff attack suspect – Winnipeg Free Press

Progressive Conservative MPs are being held for attacking the NDP government's promised bail reform after last week's violent attack on three grocery store workers.

A 17-year-old man accused of assaulting three Food Fare employees – men aged 19, 22 and 46 – has been released back into the public on May 14.

He allegedly hit the workers with a brass knuckle after being kicked out of the building at Portage Avenue and Burnell Street that morning.

The Tories used the incident to go after the NDP's promised reforms, which critics called window dressing.

“Three staff were assaulted at work and taken to hospital and the attacker was released on bail before they could return to work,” Tory justice critic Wayne Balkaen told the inquiry on Tuesday.

“The premier and his justice minister have talked and talked and talked about bail reform, but they have failed and failed and failed to keep Manitobans safe,” said the former Brandon police chief.

During the 2023 election campaign, the NDP pledged to implement the National Police Federation's bail reform recommendations within 100 days of taking office, including improving post-bail release monitoring and establishing community bail enforcement monitoring programs.

On February 29, the government announced $3 million in 2024-25 for 12 new officers who will carry out background checks and arrest defendants who violate their release conditions.

The new officers are not expected to be on the job until the fall.

“Is the system working as you intended?” asked Balkan.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe hit back, condemning seven years of “inaction” by the former PC government.

“It's no wonder retailers and business owners in our province are disappointed,” said the newly appointed justice minister. “Instead of investing in crime prevention, the previous government allowed crime to skyrocket.”

Wiebe noted that thefts were under $5,000 last year when the computers were operational.

Balcaen returned to the food price story last week.

“The young offender entered the business with a prohibited weapon and intent to commit violence,” he said.

The teenager was charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon before being released on bond. At the time, police said more arrests were expected. An update was not available Tuesday afternoon.

“Three Manitobans were taken to hospital during the operation and the attacker has been bailed,” Balkaen said.

“Why won't the minister admit bail reform is a complete and abject failure?”

The justice minister said the NDP government is focused on a “way forward.”

“It's about real funding and real programs that make a difference. We work with retailers and give them the tools they need to keep their businesses safe,” said Wiebe, referring to the $300 rebate the province has offered to Manitobans for security systems purchased since last September. The program is expected to be launched next month.

The justice minister has gone after the Tories for delaying passage of Bill 30, the Unexplained Wealth Act, which would force suspected criminals to reveal how they bought multi-million dollar homes and luxury cars.

“This is a collection of very serious incidents that have happened recently – most of them have links to organized crime,” the justice minister said of recent shoplifting incidents.

Frank Cormier, a criminology instructor at the University of Manitoba, said the Tories' attack is nothing new, but it won't accomplish anything.

“Can we bail better?” Yes, said Cormier, who is not opposed to better bail supervision.

“But doing it more or harder doesn't help anything. The data shows that it makes things worse,” said Cormier, who has been called a “thug” who sympathizes with offenders.

“We're already doing tough things,” he said. “When people are granted bail, there is a heavy list of conditions,” he said. “Under the circumstances, the issue is unrealistic.”

For example, many defendants have addictions, but their condition requires them to avoid alcohol and drugs. “Telling someone to stop doing that is stupid,” Cormier said.

Some do not own a home, but their bail conditions require them to live at the address. More resources are needed for hostages, including better hostage monitoring programs and more funding for non-governmental organizations like the John Howard Society, which works, the instructor said.

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Carol Sanders
Legislative reporter

After 20 years reporting on the diversity of people who call Manitoba home, Carol moved to the Legislative Bureau in early 2020.

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