By John L. Hill ( June 19, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT) -- Canada’s stricter bail rules will come into effect on July 15, 2026. The sweeping legislation (Bill C-14), the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, received royal assent on June 15, 2026. Proponents of the new legislation said it would stop the “catch and release” mindset of Ontario courts. But was there a real need for reform? Consider the bail review case of R. v. Cove, 2022 ONCA 877, which was published June 17, 2026, after a court-ordered publication ban was lifted. It contains the tough-on-crime language that advocates of tougher bail laws wanted. Yet, surprisingly, the newly released decision was made in 2022....