Advocates warn Ontario’s bail reform could harm mothers seeking recovery

Advocates warn Ontario’s bail reform could harm mothers seeking recovery

Alicia Gordon, who has battled addiction for 15 years and been arrested three times, says the ‘bail bed’ program at the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay was crucial to help her get her life back on track.

Alicia Gordon had battled addiction for more than 15 years before it brought her in direct conflict with the law.

The First Nations mother from Northern Ontario was released on bail twice; first in 2019 for charges related to drinking and driving, and again in 2020 for possession of stolen property, respectively.

After her second release, Ms. Gordon turned her life around. She got sober and had occasional visitation rights to her five and six-year-old children.

“I went to treatment, got accepted into unive