Ontario Strengthening Bail Requirements to Protect Communities
New measures will improve accountability and ensure real consequences for offenders
Effective August 17, 2026, the Ontario government is bringing into force new measures to strengthen the province’s bail system and protect Ontario communities. As part of the government’s comprehensive bail strategy and ongoing work to make bail more real and consequential for people accused of serious crimes, these new measures will improve bail compliance, keep violent, repeat offenders behind bars and make it easier for the province to collect forfeited bail payments when bail conditions are violated.
“For too long, gaps in the bail system have allowed violent and repeat offenders back into our communities,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Enough is enough. People deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and confident that those who pose a serious risk will not be released only to reoffend. That’s why our government is taking bold, decisive action to deliver on our promise and fix the broken bail system, keep dangerous, repeat offenders off our streets, and put public safety first.”
The new bail measures being implemented will:
- Require a cash security deposit in the full amount pledged to be paid once an accused person is released from custody, with payment due within two business days of release. This strengthens accountability by ensuring financial consequences are immediate when the court orders forfeiture of bail money as a penalty for a breach of bail conditions or when an accused person fails to attend court, making it easier for the province to recover bail debts.
- Require sureties to provide current contact and identification information. Keeping this information up to date will allow the province to collect forfeited bail money more effectively if no security deposit is on file. Failing to comply with these requirements may result in a provincial offence charge.
- Enhance collection tools for bail debts such as wage and bank account garnishment, property liens, and the seizure and sale of property. These stronger enforcement tools help ensure that court-ordered bail obligations are more easily enforceable and that those who fail to comply with bail conditions face meaningful consequences.
“Bail conditions are not suggestions, they are court orders, and there must be real consequences when they are broken,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Our government is strengthening enforcement to hold offenders accountable, giving police and prosecutors stronger tools to protect our communities, and helping keep violent and repeat offenders behind bars where they belong.”
Ontario is also working to strengthen digital tools to track repeat offenders and those who fail to comply with bail conditions. This includes the creation of a surety database to help streamline and enhance surety checks.
Taken together, these measures will make Ontario’s bail system more accountable by strengthening compliance with court-ordered release conditions and will reinforce Ontario’s commitment to protecting communities, ensuring there are real consequences for breaches of court-ordered release conditions.
Quick Facts
- These bail measures were introduced in the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2026, and the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025.
- A surety is a person who has agreed to ensure that an accused person follows their bail conditions.
- Previously, if the court ordered a release on a promise to pay, no cash deposit was required. This meant that a surety and/or the accused person did not have to pay the amount pledged unless the accused person did not follow the terms of their release and the court ordered payment. This created unnecessary barriers to enforcing bail orders and recovering forfeited bail money, requiring significant time and resources to pursue outstanding debts.
- Since 2023, Ontario’s bail prosecution teams have effectively managed over 5,300 serious violent cases at the bail stage. The teams are made up of dedicated Crown attorneys and business professionals across the province with the necessary expertise to prepare the best case possible in these types of bail matters.
Quotes
“These enhancements to Ontario’s bail system are welcome and reflect a continued commitment to improving public safety, strengthening accountability, and reducing the risks posed by repeat violent offenders. As police officers, we have consistently seen the impact that non-compliance with bail conditions and repeat offending has on victims, communities, and frontline officers. Strengthening bail compliance and accountability, while providing additional measures to address repeat violent crime, contributes to safer communities across the province.”
– Thomas Carrique
Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police
“Our members across Ontario are seeing firsthand the impact repeat and violent offenders have on victims, families and communities. Far too many of these criminals are cycling through the justice system, while continuing to victimize communities. The Police Association of Ontario has consistently called for stronger accountability within the bail system, including cash bail and enhanced accountability measures for sureties. We welcome the government’s action on these important measures. Bail conditions must be meaningful, enforceable, and carry real consequences when breached. These changes are an important step toward strengthening Ontario’s bail system, supporting the work of our members, and most importantly, keeping our communities safe.”
– Mark Baxter
President, Police Association of Ontario
Author: Pete Fisher
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