New measures will address intimate partner violence, protect children and support victims of human trafficking
On May 1, 2025, the Ontario government is introducing the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act. The broad legislation, if passed, would include measures to protect families and support victims of human trafficking.
“Our government is taking action to deliver justice for those who have been victimized by heinous crimes,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “We’re proposing stronger measures to protect families, especially children and youth, by strengthening Christopher’s Law, amending the Family Law Act and Children’s Law Reform Act and supporting victims of human trafficking.”
To support the legislative bundle, the government is making regulatory changes to protect children against sex trafficking by strengthening Christopher’s Law to include child sex traffickers on the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. The proposed legislation would also increase tools to address intimate partner violence by amending the Family Law Act and Children’s Law Reform Act to make restraining orders against abusers more accessible. Additional persons would be able to apply for family restraining orders on behalf of individuals in need of protection, including designated representatives or other persons with permission of the court.
“Our government is determined to protect Ontario, keep Ontarians safe and support women and children’s well-being,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “The measures we are introducing today build on our four-year action plan to end gender-based violence and our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. This is another step toward building a province free of violence and full of opportunity for all.”
To help combat human trafficking in the hotels and short-term rentals sector, Ontario will bring into force the Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act, 2021 on January 1, 2026. This will provide police with tools needed to help investigate human trafficking, as they could more easily obtain related information from hotels and other prescribed businesses. In addition, the province will also be proceeding with consultations to support implementation of Bill 41, the Protection from Coerced Debts Incurred in relation to Human Trafficking Act, 2023. This Act, when implemented, would reduce the financial hardship survivors face because of human trafficking, helping them to make progress on their path to recovery.
Alongside today’s legislation, Ontario is renewing its Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy from 2025-2030 with an investment of more than $345 million over the same period. The investment will help support survivors, raise awareness, protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
Today’s announcement follows other tough on crime measures announced by the government earlier this week, including creating new prosecution teams to crack down on crime, empowering law enforcement to prevent auto theft and strengthening Ontario’s bail system.
Quick Facts
- In the first three years of the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, service providers helped more than 20,000 people affected by human trafficking.
- Measures to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence, intimate partner violence and human trafficking build on Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence and Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.
- If passed, the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act will streamline the judicial appointment process, appoint new prosecution teams dedicated to stopping violent crimes and cybercrimes, give police the authority to search for and seize electronic devices that are intended to be used for vehicle theft and strengthen the bail system to keep violent and repeat offenders behind bars.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
