Protecting Ontario by Keeping Criminals Behind Bars

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the Ontario government will introduce legislation that, if passed, would hold offenders accountable, support victims of crime and strengthen public safety. The Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 includes bold new measures that would crack down on dangerous driving and tighten bail requirements to protect communities. In addition to legislation, the government will strengthen safety protocols in adult correctional institutions and explore options to make information contained in the Ontario Sex Offender and Trafficker Registry publicly available.

“As part of our government’s plan to protect Ontario and crack down on criminals, we are moving forward with bold new measures that put public safety first,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “For too long, violent repeat offenders have cycled through the justice system, putting families at risk and wreaking havoc in our communities. This legislation tackles those issues by strengthening bail compliance and holding criminals accountable.”

To strengthen bail compliance, hold offenders accountable and keep violent, repeat offenders behind bars, the government’s proposed legislation will require an accused person or their surety to provide a cash security deposit in the full amount ordered by the court. Other proposed measures to strengthen the bail system include enhanced digital tools to track repeat offenders and those not in compliance with bail conditions. Ontario is continuing to make the necessary investments to increase capacity in the adult correctional institution system. These investments include adding permanent beds and retrofitting, repairing and reopening former correctional institutions, to ensure no violent, repeat offender ever walks free as a result of a lack of correctional capacity.

“Our government is delivering on a promise to fix the broken bail system and hold offenders accountable. By tightening bail requirements with tougher rules and stronger enforcement we are building on our work to keep communities safe,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “The proposed new measures in the legislation are the latest step in our ongoing work to strengthen Ontario’s justice system – from investing millions to build court capacity, to increasing access to justice with modern solutions – and we will continue taking decisive action to protect Ontario.”

The province is also introducing a suite of measures aimed at cracking down on dangerous driving. Earlier this year, Andrew Cristillo was killed in a collision involving a driver who was facing charges for dangerous driving and stunt driving. Mr. Cristillo’s family launched a petition for “Andrew’s Law,” calling for increased penalties for dangerous driving. To support safer highways and roads, the government will introduce several measures later today in response to the petition including removing dangerous drivers from the streets by introducing tougher roadside enforcement and higher penalties. These include allowing police to issue an immediate roadside driver’s licence suspension of 90 days and impound a vehicle for seven days if they have reason to believe a person was driving dangerously. Other measures include exploring the implementation of a requirement that impaired drivers pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, as well as increasing penalties for careless driving, driving with a suspended license and for commercial drivers convicted of distracted driving.

“No one should ever have to lose a loved one or suffer a life-changing injury because another driver chose to drive dangerously,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “In response to the Andrew’s Law petition, our government is introducing tough new measures to crack down on reckless drivers and keep our roads safe.”

Other measures that complement the legislative proposals will hold offenders accountable and support victims of crime. This includes exploring options to make parts of the Ontario Sex Offenders and Trafficker Registry publicly available to give the public the information it needs to support safe communities, as well as measures that would crack down on the production and use of illegal drugs, including on public transit. It also includes exploring options to make sure that critical infrastructure such as roadways, transit hubs and hospitals, as well as places of worship and cultural centres, are kept clear so that everyone can access them safely, without intimidation, impediment or harassment.

To support public safety personnel and their families, the government will expand access to the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program, embedding the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund in statute and implementing new measures that will protect the safety of correctional officers in adult correctional facilities.

Finally, the proposed legislation contains a number of measures to protect animals and ensure their humane treatment, including by restricting invasive medical research on dogs and cats unless it is for specified purposes, such as veterinary research. These restrictions will be specified through regulation, with the consultation period beginning today. The government will also increase penalties for people who harm animals that work with peace officers and, in early 2026, will begin consultations on banning medically unnecessary procedures that harm dogs and cats, such as declawing and ear-cropping.

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