Verwey Family, Opposition PCs Force NDP to Adopt Tougher Bail Reform
WINNIPEG — Working with victims’ families, the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives introduced and passed a new measure to keep Manitobans safe from repeat offenders. The motion to further enhance bail enforcement within law enforcement agencies was supported by all MLAs.
Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza introduced the motion, supported by Lakeside MLA Trevor King. This initiative came after the tragic death of Kellie Verwey, a remarkable young woman who was killed on Jan. 15 after a car crash involving a man suspected of driving a stolen car while allegedly intoxicated who had breached the conditions of his release on multiple occasions.
“Today our Progressive Conservative team stood alongside the family and friends of Kellie Verwey to support their message,” said Bereza, “No family should go through what they have gone through. The catch-and-release justice system must be reformed, and today was the first step.”
The motion passed unanimously after some minor adjustments to the wording. Outlining the next steps, King made it clear that the government must follow up with this motion.
“Now the ball is in the government’s hands,” said King. “They have agreed with us that there needs to be a bail condition enforcement branch to ensure that repeat offenders are not victimizing Manitobans. I look forward to the Minister bringing that forward as soon as possible and ensuring that today’s motion is followed and this branch brought into place to protect Manitobans”
Manitobans should expect the government to establish this bail enforcement unit shortly.
Today would have been Kellie Verwey’s 29th birthday.
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