Ontario charts its own course on bail reform as federal Liberal efforts stall
Ontario is taking a tough stance on bail reform, planning new legislation that would force accused criminals or their backers to fork over the full cash security deposit to get out of jail.
Fed up with stalled federal action, Ontario is taking a tough stance on bail reform, planning new legislation that would force accused criminals or their backers to fork over the full cash security deposit to get out of jail.
In a news release Monday, Ontario announced it is taking its own path on bail system reforms. This comes as efforts by the federal Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney to make meaningful changes to the Criminal Code have stalled.
“For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets,” said Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey in the release. “That’s why our government is taking action and making bail more real and consequential for people accused of serious crimes.”
The proposed changes would overhaul the current practice of release on a “promise to pay,” which requires no upfront deposit from an accused person or their surety.
Under the new model, the full amount ordered by a court would be paid immediately upon release. It would be refunded at the conclusion of the case if all conditions are met and automatically forfeited if breached.
Ontario officials argue the existing federal framework leaves provinces struggling to enforce bail forfeitures, forcing police, prosecutors and court officers to expend time and resources collecting pledged but unpaid amounts. They say the new cash-security approach would streamline recovery and improve compliance.
The province is also proposing measures to tighten enforcement around sureties, including mandatory up-to-date contact information and expanded tools to collect unpaid bail debts—garnishing wages, seizing and selling property, and placing liens when necessary.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the reforms are part of a broader public-safety strategy backed by record provincial spending on new correctional facilities and expanded institutional capacity. “Our government is backing that commitment with investments to make sure there is always space to keep dangerous criminals behind bars,” Kerzner said.
The plan also includes enhanced digital systems to track repeat offenders and bail-condition compliance, including a new surety database aimed at addressing cases where individuals supervise multiple accused persons or fail to report breaches.
Officials say the database would support information-sharing among police services and ensure consistent data is available for bail hearings.
Finally, the province says it is continuing capital investments to ensure no violent offender is released due to insufficient correctional-facility capacity. Those investments include adding permanent beds and reopening previously shuttered institutions.