When half an hour proves the justice system has failed

By Lethbridge Herald on February 7, 2026.

From The Hill- MP Racheal Thomas

Half an hour. 

That’s how long it took for Skye Atoa, a high-risk sex offender, to violate his release conditions after walking out of custody in Lethbridge.

On January 13, Atoa was released on bail after being charged for human trafficking of minors and other sex-related offences. He had been arrested for forcibly confining a 14-year-old-girl, a 15-year-old-girl, and a 16-year-old-girl. He sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl and forced her to consume drugs. He also exposed himself to the other two girls. 

When the police arrived on the scene, the youngest girl was in medical distress and had to be taken to the hospital. 

He also faces charges for an unrelated sexual assault dating back to October 2025.

Despite these horrifying crimes, Atoa was released on bail shortly after being arrested. Only half an hour later, he was re-arrested for failing to comply with his bail requirements. 

The news has shaken our city. It’s shocking and deplorable. 

I’ve heard many concerns about this from people in our community and even across the country. Canadians are clear—they want bail reform. 

The bail problem we now face is a direct result of a decade of Liberal catch-and-release policies. The Liberal government’s approach to bail has created a system where the rights of repeat offenders seemingly outweigh the safety of law-abiding Canadians.

Through Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, the Liberals weakened sentencing and made early release the default. Mandatory jail time for serious crimes was repealed, and judges are now required to release accused offenders at the earliest opportunity on the least onerous conditions, often sending repeat violent criminals back onto our streets to reoffend while awaiting trial.

Too many Canadians have been left vulnerable while violent repeat offenders remain free. Every day that passes under these flawed policies is another day that public safety is compromised.

Canadians deserve a justice system that protects law-abiding citizens first, not one that prioritizes procedural restraint at the expense of community safety.

Its instances like this that compel my Conservative colleagues and I to continue fighting for bail reform that ensures repeat or high-risk offenders are not released back into our communities, that victims are protected, and that law-abiding Canadians can feel safe in their homes and on our streets.

Just last week, we had a win in Parliament. Conservative members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights successfully ended the Liberal filibuster on Bill C-9 that would endanger religious freedoms. Instead of prioritizing bail legislation, the Liberals focused on potentially criminalizing passages from religious texts. Thanks to Conservative initiatives and thousands of Canadians who voiced their concerns, the committee will now study Bill C-14, a bail and sentencing bill. This is a big win! It means we are closer to getting effective bail laws and safer streets. 

With the committee now focused on Bill C-14, our goal is clear: this bill must truly fix the Liberals’ weak bail laws. My Conservative colleagues and I will push for amendments grounded in the principle of public safety, end the practice of releasing criminals at the earliest opportunity on the least restrictive conditions, and require detention for serious offences.

Unless these changes are made, serious and dangerous offenders will continue to be released onto our streets to pose a threat to our communities. We must enforce jail, not bail. 

The phrase “jail not bail” might sound like a slogan, but it represents a common-sense principle that most Canadians instinctively understand. Those who repeatedly demonstrate they cannot follow the law while free should not enjoy freedom while awaiting trial. This isn’t about vengeance, it’s about protection for the most vulnerable. 

Our communities deserve better than what the current system delivers. Victims deserve better than watching their attackers walk free. Police officers deserve better than arresting the same individuals repeatedly, knowing the system will release them within hours.

A man violating his bail requirements within thirty minutes of release is a clear signal that the system is failing. Canadians deserve better and it’s time our laws reflected that reality. 

If you believe change is needed, I encourage you to send a brief, one-line email to Canada’s Justice Minister, Sean Fraser. Let him know you support tougher laws and stronger penalties for serious and repeat offenders.

You can email the minister at: mcu@justice.gc.ca