"Ms. Ganley, describing the woman’s experience during a preliminary hearing in June, 2015..."

This was a preliminary hearing, not a trial to determine guilt. To jail a witness prior to that hearing, in order to ensure her appearance, strikes me as an extraordinary measure. So extraordinary that I wonder about its legality.

I could understand that a witness who repeatedly refuses to show up for a trial might be required to remain in some kind of detention. But that's not what happened here. As for forcing the witness to appear in court in leg shackles?

The judge who conducted the trial, Justice Eric Macklin, called her treatment at the preliminary hearing appalling. I agree. Of the three obvious reasons why she may have been treated so poorly- addicted, homeless, aboriginal- it's the latter possibility that must come under the closest scrutiny. Discriminating against someone on the basis of their race is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.