Anti-Black racism resource guides for bail

Published: June 13, 2024

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is pleased to share two important resources aimed at achieving racial equity in bail proceedings and improving justice outcomes for Black clients:

1. Anti-Black Racism in Canada’s Criminal Justice System: Background Information & Resource Guide
   This document provides information about the history of anti-Black racism in Canada, considerations of anti-Black racism in criminal law, a practitioner’s guide to allyship, and some local community resources. 

2. Anti-Black Racism at Bail: Practical Guide for Bails
   This document includes a detailed client interview tool, a discussion of Section 493.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada and how to use it, practical tips on how to draft submissions on secondary and tertiary grounds, and a discussion of bail reviews.

These resources, which were developed by experienced roster and staff lawyers, are aimed at assisting counsel in identifying, understanding, and challenging anti-Black racism at the bail stage.

This work was funded by the Government of Canada through the Anti Racism Action Program and advances LAO’ Racialized Communities Strategy (RCS).

Resources

Both guides are available on the LAO website under the criminal resources page, which is under the For Legal Professionals section and on the LAO LAW site.