Race is closely tied to who gets bail — that's why we must tread carefully on bail reform

Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro speaks during a Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers' meeting on bail reform in Ottawa in March 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Over four decades ago — on April 17, 1982 — Queen Elizabeth signed the Constitution Act, which included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Charter enshrined — and therefore placed outside the reach of capricious lawmaking — certain fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Canadians. The right to reasonable bail is among them.