JUDGEMENT DAY
First, it was DONALD TRUMP. Now, Premier DOUG FORD has another political enemy: the courts.
A judge has temporarily suspended the province’s new cash-bail rules just two weeks after Bill 75 came into force, as the courts consider a constitutional challenge from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
The crux of their argument: Ontario has wandered onto Ottawa’s turf by effectively rewriting the Criminal Code. They warned the policy violates Charter rights and could leave people who are presumed innocent behind bars if they can’t cough up the cash within two business days. Some judges have already rejected the premise.
Not so fast: Crown lawyers claim there’s no conflict with the Criminal Code because it would still be up to a judge to determine bail terms.
The political upside: Ford may have lost the opening round in court, but he’s gained precisely the kind of fight he likes. Ford regularly rails against “weak-kneed” and “activist” judge…
