Ontario’s Ford Plans to Publicize Sex Offender Details, Ready to Use Notwithstanding Clause

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media during a press conference at Queen's Park in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is drafting legislation to publicize parts of the sex offender registry and that he will use the notwithstanding clause if the courts try to block it.

The government’s preliminary consultations are beginning on changes that Ford said will ensure children are protected from sex offenders by making sex offender registry information public. Ford’s announcement comes after an Oct. 31 Supreme Court of Canada decision that ruled mandatory minimum one-year sentences for child exploitation convictions are “unconstitutional.”

“(If) you have a sex offender and he’s living next door down the street, and you have a bunch of kids, you want to know about it,” Ford said Nov. 17 in Toronto. “So we’re going to make sure the sex offender registry is out there, public.”

It is not clear if Ford is planning operational, legislative, or regulatory changes, but he said the notwithstanding clause will be used if the courts reject them, something he thinks they will “probably” do.

“It’s a no brainer. I'll use the notwithstanding clause in a heartbeat,” Ford said.

Ford’s comments were echoed by federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who in an Oct. 31 X post said the Supreme Court’s decision was “dead wrong” and the Tories would use the notwithstanding clause to require mandatory minimum sentences for child exploitation offences.

Poilievre said those convicted of such sentences should be “severely punished,” contrary to the court’s 5-4 ruling, which said child exploitation offences vary and not all equally grievous.

At the time Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the decision “outrageous.” She said the one-year mandatory minimum was “already far too lenient,” and Ottawa should use the notwithstanding clause to override the court’s decision. Ford at the time said “predators” who engage in such crimes must spend life in prison and also urged use of the notwithstanding clause.

Speaking Nov. 4, Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the federal government won’t use the notwithstanding clause, noting Ottawa is pursuing “other solutions.” He said upcoming legislation would impose tougher penalties for online sexual exploitation while still operating within the Charter’s protections.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.