Public confidence in Edmonton’s justice system is wearing thin. Each week, new headlines remind us of an alarming and unsustainable pattern – individuals with lengthy criminal histories are released, reoffend and cycle back through the courts. These stories leave Edmontonians wondering whether the system designed to protect them still can.
Chief of Police Warren Driechel has spoken clearly: police cannot shoulder the full burden of public safety alone. When officers risk their lives to make arrests, only to see those same individuals released on bail or charges reduced through plea deals, it undermines confidence in the entire system. Edmonton Journal reporting shows that a small group of repeat offenders drives a disproportionate amount of crime in our city – and the Edmonton Downtown Revitalization Coalition has voiced the same concern.
Edmonton’s residents, workers and business owners across every community are feeling the effects. Rising violent incidents, more calls for service and the visible strain on neighbourhood well-being make it impossible to separate economic growth from public safety. Without a justice system that functions effectively, Edmonton — in every corner of the city — cannot truly thrive.
This issue goes beyond policing. It reflects a larger imbalance across the justice system — one where bail hearings too often favour release over risk, where prosecutors must choose between timeliness and thoroughness, and where the public rarely understands how or why serious charges are reduced. When decisions lack transparency, trust falters.
Reform must focus on restoring accountability, clarity and balance. That means:
- Stricter bail standards for repeat and violent offenders, informed by evidence-based risk assessments that consider both history and public safety.
- Transparency in plea negotiations, including public reporting where serious charges are reduced or dismissed.
- Stronger collaboration between police and Crown prosecutors, ensuring cases are not derailed by disclosure disputes or procedural technicalities.
- Judicial accountability, with clear explanations for bail and sentencing decisions that impact community safety.
These are not radical demands — they are practical expectations of a justice system that works for everyone. Fairness and safety are not competing values; they are complementary. When the scales tip too far toward expediency or leniency, communities bear the consequences.
Chief Driechel’s call for reform should be heard as an invitation to act. The police, Crown and judiciary all play indispensable roles, but the public deserves assurance that those roles are carried out with shared purpose and transparency.
Edmonton cannot build confidence, investment or vibrancy atop a foundation of uncertainty. A strong, accountable justice system is not just about crime prevention — it’s about civic trust and community resilience.
Justice must deliver for everyone – because when it doesn’t, the costs are measured not only in crime statistics, but in our collective confidence as citizens.
BIO
Cheryll Watson is the president & CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta and a recognized thought leader in economic development. She previously served as vice president of Innovate Edmonton and ran for mayor of Edmonton with a platform focused on economic growth, downtown revitalization, and stronger partnerships between business and government. Cheryll also serves as chair of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition and board chair of STEM Collegiate. She believes in empowering the next generation of leaders and is known for championing free enterprise. Cheryll is passionate about building a city that supports both business and community.
