Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is “exploring” the possibility of live-streaming bail hearings to improve transparency in the provincial justice system.
“We know we need to do more to fix the broken bail system and protect our province,” Ford told reporters. “That’s why we’re exploring new measures to bring our bail system out into the open by live-streaming bail hearings… which right now are not accessible to the public, except for people who go in-person.”
Currently, evidence introduced during bail hearings in Ontario is generally subject to publication bans. Ford was asked by a reporter how live-streaming would be possible when publication bans are in place, but he did not answer directly.
“Well, we’re going to move forward with live-streaming,” he said. “Everyone needs to be held accountable.”
Ford also said judges and justices of the peace should be compelled to defend their rulings with a written explanation whenever they allow bail for a violent offender.
“Right now, when bail is granted to a violent offender, there is no written justification provided,” he said. “We need to change that to ensure clear reasoning is provided with greater consistency in decisions and easier public review.”
To achieve this, the province needs to create “an anonymous regional dashboard to identify bias, promote accountability, and restore public confidence,” Ford said, adding that he plans to discuss the idea with Attorney General Doug Downey and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner in the coming weeks “so we can crack down on repeat violent offenders and keep them... behind bars.”
The premier has been calling on Ottawa for several years to reform the bail system. He has long criticized so-called “catch and release” bail laws introduced by the Liberal government in recent years.
Ford said it’s time for the federal government to “stop dilly dallying” and uphold its promise to reform Canada’s bail system.
Pepper Spray and DNA Samples
Ford’s comments were made after he announced a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to build the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre.A Request for Quotation (RFQ) serves as a document to evaluate prospective contractors and represents the initial phase in a two-step procurement process, to ensure only qualified candidates are invited to present competitive bids for construction projects.
Ford told reporters the expansion would help ensure a lack of space “is never an excuse to grant offenders an early release.”
The Ford government has increased its focus on law and order issues in the past few months. Downey penned a letter to his federal counterpart last week requesting changes that would legally permit individuals to carry and use pepper spray for self-defence purposes.
The Criminal Code currently defines pepper spray as a weapon, making its possession illegal. Using pepper spray can potentially lead to charges like possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Downey is also pushing for the mandatory collection of DNA from individuals arrested for sexual offences. Currently, a warrant or conviction is required for a DNA sample to be collected.
Ford addressed his government’s push for the measures during the press conference. He said obtaining a DNA sample after someone is arrested for a serious sexual offence is an effective way to “speed up investigations and bring criminals to justice.”
He described legalizing pepper spray as a way for women to protect themselves when they feel unsafe walking at night.
A spokesperson for Fraser issued a brief written statement in response to the Ontario government’s requests, pointing to various justice system reforms the government has made.
“We will continue to work with all levels of government to keep our communities safe and ensure the justice system treats victims and survivors with dignity,” the spokesperson said.
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has said they were not consulted on the pepper spray proposal, but are now having discussions with policy-makers.
