Repeat offenders fuel crime in Mississauga and Brampton; police hope new laws will help

After years of watching repeat offenders cycle through the justice system, Peel Regional Police say new federal bail and sentencing reforms could help address a growing source of frustration for officers and communities alike.

Speaking at Brampton City Hall on Monday (June 22) as the federal government announced the passage of the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich described the challenges officers have faced while dealing with repeat violent offenders, organized crime and escalating crime trends across Brampton and Mississauga.

“Our officers work incredibly hard to protect our community, but find themselves dealing over and over again with the same individuals,” Milinovich said.

The legislation, known as Bill C-14, introduces more than 80 changes to Canada’s bail and sentencing laws, including tougher bail rules for repeat violent offenders, stronger penalties for crimes linked to organized crime, and new measures targeting extortion, auto theft, home invasions and human trafficking. Most of the changes will take effect July 15.

Milinovich said the reforms come after a period in which Peel experienced dramatic increases in several major crime categories.

According to police, carjackings in Mississauga and Brampton rose by roughly 83 per cent in 2024, while home invasions increased by 197 per cent. Extortion incidents targeting members of the South Asian business community surged by 268 per cent over the same period.

Police responded by expanding specialized enforcement teams and increasing investigations into those crimes. While Peel has since seen year-over-year reductions in several categories, Milinovich said officers have continued to encounter repeat offenders who are released back into the community after arrest.

Just days ago, he said, Peel officers conducting proactive patrols and attempting to arrest a suspect with a history involving illegal firearms were shot at while carrying out their duties.

“It was a near miss,” Milinovich said. “We feel incredibly thankful that nobody was hurt.”

He added that before the new legislation, the majority of people held by Peel police on firearms-related offences were ultimately released on bail.

The issue has been a major point of advocacy for Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who said the city began pushing for meaningful bail reform following the 2020 killing of 25-year-old Darian Hailey Henderson-Bellman.

Brown said Henderson-Bellman was killed by an individual who had repeatedly breached release conditions and had been granted bail multiple times despite what he described as a documented history of violence.

“Unfortunately, Darian’s case was not an isolated incident,” Brown said. “Communities across Canada have witnessed the devastating consequences of repeat violent offending.”

Brown said residents have grown increasingly concerned about organized crime, extortion attempts, auto theft rings, home invasions and firearm-related offences, prompting repeated calls for changes to Canada’s bail system.

The new law introduces additional reverse-onus provisions that place the burden on certain accused persons to show why they should be released. Courts will also be required to consider more factors when making bail decisions, including outstanding charges and risks to public safety.

For frontline officers, Milinovich said the reforms could help address a long-standing morale issue.

Asked whether officers become frustrated after arresting suspects only to see them back on the street shortly afterward, Milinovich acknowledged the concern.

“Most police officers here in Peel, and for that matter anywhere in the province or country, would identify that it is frustrating,” he said.

“My hope is that we are going to continue, because of this legislation, to see fewer and fewer repeat violent criminals being released back into our community after our officers have done what they should do.”

Supporters of the legislation argue the changes will help break the cycle of repeat violent crime while giving courts additional tools to prioritize community safety.

For Brampton officials and police leaders who have spent years calling for reform, Monday’s announcement marked what they described as an important step toward that goal.