The executive director of Legal Aid Manitoba has added his voice to the national bail-reform conversation, urging careful forethought on any changes.

The Liberal government tabled legislation Thursday proposing sweeping changes to Canada’s Criminal Code that would make it harder for people accused of certain crimes to get bail.

The new legislation also proposes longer sentences for some violent and repeat offenders.

The move comes after several years of debate over reforming the bail system, amid heightened public and political concern that accused individuals allegedly continued to commit crimes while on pre-trial release.

But any reforms to the system must not trample the Charter rights of people accused of crimes, said Peter Kingsley, a long-time defence lawyer and the head of Legal

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