Melanie Webb
@melaniejwebb.bsky.social
Criminal trial & appellate lawyer | Chair, CBA Criminal Justice Section | OBA Secretary
‘In a free society, it is emphatically not the courts' role to simply get out of the government's way’
nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Politicians continue to target the courts irresponsibly
‘In a free society, it is emphatically not the courts' role to simply get out of the government's way’
nationalmagazine.ca
December 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
‘In a free society, it is emphatically not the courts' role to simply get out of the government's way’
nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Members of the legal community are panning Ontario's attempt to toughen up bail conditions. They say what's proposed will further disadvantage marginalized individuals and may be unconstitutional: https://bit.ly/4rRKMhR
Ontario’s ‘atrocious’ plan for cash bail may be unconstitutional
Critics say it will further disadvantage marginalized individuals
bit.ly
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Members of the legal community are panning Ontario's attempt to toughen up bail conditions. They say what's proposed will further disadvantage marginalized individuals and may be unconstitutional: https://bit.ly/4rRKMhR
The Globe & Mail: Ontario looks to revive use of cash bail, raising Charter concerns
Ontario wants to reinstitute the widespread use of cash bail, more than a half century after the practice was mostly abandoned in Canada because of concern it unfairly harmed lower-income people.
Ontario wants to reinstitute the widespread use of cash bail, more than a half century after the practice was mostly abandoned in Canada because of concern it unfairly harmed lower-income people.
Ontario looks to revive use of cash bail, raising Charter concerns
Critics question whether proposal exceeds provincial powers and violates Charter of Rights and Freedoms
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The Globe & Mail: Ontario looks to revive use of cash bail, raising Charter concerns
Ontario wants to reinstitute the widespread use of cash bail, more than a half century after the practice was mostly abandoned in Canada because of concern it unfairly harmed lower-income people.
Ontario wants to reinstitute the widespread use of cash bail, more than a half century after the practice was mostly abandoned in Canada because of concern it unfairly harmed lower-income people.
Reposted by Melanie Webb
"Rather than focus on what the Supreme Court of Canada actually said, the public seems to be receiving commentary based on what the Court actually didn't say. It's very disappointing that people are being misled.” @hollylake.bsky.social has that story. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Stoking political outrage over court decision ‘irresponsible’
While debate about sentencing and justice policy is healthy in a democracy, observers say recent outcry over child porn decision misleads public, undermines the judiciary and administration of justice
www.nationalmagazine.ca
November 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
"Rather than focus on what the Supreme Court of Canada actually said, the public seems to be receiving commentary based on what the Court actually didn't say. It's very disappointing that people are being misled.” @hollylake.bsky.social has that story. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin says as Canada transitions its economy away from the United States, upholding the rule of law is going to be key: https://bit.ly/47CfKB6
Upholding rule of law key to Canada’s economic transition
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin says it’s an asset we can't let slip the way it's slipping south of the border
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin says as Canada transitions its economy away from the United States, upholding the rule of law is going to be key: https://bit.ly/47CfKB6
Reposted by Melanie Webb
CBA President Bianca Kratt, K.C., calls on political leaders to show restraint when responding to court decisions: https://bit.ly/47Gv3ZB
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
CBA President Bianca Kratt, K.C., calls on political leaders to show restraint when responding to court decisions: https://bit.ly/47Gv3ZB
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Legal experts say Supreme Court decision shouldn’t leave public with the impression that judges will be more lenient on child porn offenders across the board. @journodale.bsky.social reports. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Supreme Court strikes down mandatory minimum sentences for child porn
Legal experts say decision shouldn’t leave public with the impression that judges will be more lenient on offenders across the board
nationalmagazine.ca
October 31, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Legal experts say Supreme Court decision shouldn’t leave public with the impression that judges will be more lenient on child porn offenders across the board. @journodale.bsky.social reports. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Reposted by Melanie Webb
In case you missed it ➡️ One exceptional post-grad law student will be awarded the $25K CBA Viscount Bennett Fellowship. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Deadline: November 18. https://bit.ly/46y2RG6
October 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
In case you missed it ➡️ One exceptional post-grad law student will be awarded the $25K CBA Viscount Bennett Fellowship. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Deadline: November 18. https://bit.ly/46y2RG6
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Do reverse onuses matter at bail hearings? And why is stealing from Walmart worse than stealing a stranger's purse?
On a new Verdicts & Voices, criminal lawyers Melanie Webb and Daniel Lerner react to Ottawa's new bail and sentencing legislation. Listen here: http://bit.ly/48Qbwbt
On a new Verdicts & Voices, criminal lawyers Melanie Webb and Daniel Lerner react to Ottawa's new bail and sentencing legislation. Listen here: http://bit.ly/48Qbwbt
October 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Do reverse onuses matter at bail hearings? And why is stealing from Walmart worse than stealing a stranger's purse?
On a new Verdicts & Voices, criminal lawyers Melanie Webb and Daniel Lerner react to Ottawa's new bail and sentencing legislation. Listen here: http://bit.ly/48Qbwbt
On a new Verdicts & Voices, criminal lawyers Melanie Webb and Daniel Lerner react to Ottawa's new bail and sentencing legislation. Listen here: http://bit.ly/48Qbwbt
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Legal observers say the federal government’s proposed bail and sentencing reforms risk being self-defeating by diverting judicial attention and scarce resources away from serious matters. @journodale.bsky.social reports. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Proposed bail reforms will imprison innocent people
Lawyers say presumption of innocence has been lost in the political debate; insist increasing reverse onuses or ladder provisions won’t have the intended deterrent effect and may violate Charter
www.nationalmagazine.ca
October 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Legal observers say the federal government’s proposed bail and sentencing reforms risk being self-defeating by diverting judicial attention and scarce resources away from serious matters. @journodale.bsky.social reports. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Do we need bail reform? Melanie Webb, chair of the criminal justice Section of the CBA, recently joined the Toronto Star's Althia Raj on her podcast to discuss why our bail system actually needs more capacity and streamlined procedures, not new legislation: https://bit.ly/48AQ0Y4
Do we need bail reform?
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party says Canada’s justice system is broken. Prime Minister Mark Carney seems to agree. But are they misdiagnosing the problem?
bit.ly
October 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Do we need bail reform? Melanie Webb, chair of the criminal justice Section of the CBA, recently joined the Toronto Star's Althia Raj on her podcast to discuss why our bail system actually needs more capacity and streamlined procedures, not new legislation: https://bit.ly/48AQ0Y4
Reposted by Melanie Webb
Canada's bail system doesn't need reverse onus legislation that will further clog our courts. Instead, we should focus on streamlining processes so courts can prioritize high-risk cases.
Read the CBA's letter to the Justice Minister: http://bit.ly/4mtyCI2
Read the CBA's letter to the Justice Minister: http://bit.ly/4mtyCI2
September 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Canada's bail system doesn't need reverse onus legislation that will further clog our courts. Instead, we should focus on streamlining processes so courts can prioritize high-risk cases.
Read the CBA's letter to the Justice Minister: http://bit.ly/4mtyCI2
Read the CBA's letter to the Justice Minister: http://bit.ly/4mtyCI2