Ontario’s Ford Proposes Bail Reforms, Vows to Hire ‘Tough on Crime’ Judges

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at an announcement in Toronto on Jan. 13, 2025. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

Premier Doug Ford is proposing changes to strengthen Ontario’s bail system while criticizing “bleeding heart” judges for failing to keep violent repeat offenders behind bars.

Ford visited Peel Regional Police headquarters in Mississauga on April 30 to announce bail reform measures that will be part of an upcoming justice bill.

The bill will include proposed reforms aimed at strengthening the collection process for forfeited bail, support a thorough review of the bail system, and the implementation of user fees for people convicted or accused of a crime who use provincially managed ankle monitoring devices, Ford said during the press conference. It also proposes putting in place teams of prosecutors that collaborate with law enforcement to present the most compelling case at bail hearings for serious and violent offences.

The provincial legislation could also amend the judicial appointment process, Ford hinted. When questioned by reporters about the possibility of such a change, he criticized judges and justices of the peace who he said repeatedly grant bail to the same offenders.

“You know some of these judges that are bleeding hearts, I can’t wait until they retire,” he said. “Matter of fact, I‘ll pay them to retire earlier. I’ll pay you out for two, three, four years. Just get out of the system.”

Many judges are excellent, Ford said, but accused some judges of developing “a sense of entitlement” after being appointed and focus more on individual ideology rather than the law.

“Like any group, there’s some bad apples that just believe we shouldn’t throw anyone in jail,” Ford said.

He suggested judicial rulings regarding repeat violent offenders be made public to ensure judges remain accountable to the community.

“Why don’t we post that this judge let Johnny out six times, and he just murdered someone,” Ford said. “Who’s accountable? Does the judge call the family up and say, ‘I’m sorry I let this guy out.’”

Ford also proposed the concept of judges campaigning for their spot on the bench and suggested that Canada should adopt a similar approach to the United States, where judges are elected.

Federal Policies

Ford said that while the province plans to do its part to address bail reform, the biggest changes need to come from the federal government.

“I’m calling on the federal government to pull its weight and keep our streets safe,” Ford said, arguing that the current catch-and-release system has become a revolving door for repeat offenders.

“With a newly elected federal government now in place, we are counting on them to bring in stronger penalties and more restrictive conditions for bail so violent repeat offenders stay behind bars and off our streets.”

While justice and bail reform made up a significant portion of the federal Conservative platform, it was less of a focus for the Liberals.

Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government would implement a “reverse onus” system to make it more difficult for those charged with serious crimes to receive bail.

He also pledged to toughen sentencing guidelines for violent car theft and organized crime-related offences as well as a focus on “denunciation and deterrence” for repeat offenders.

Poilievre had pledged during the election campaign that a Conservative government would put an end to “catch and release” policies and “introduce the toughest, harshest crackdown on crime in Canadian history.”

He also vowed to implement a “three strikes” policy that would prohibit individuals convicted of three serious offences from receiving bail, parole, house arrest, or probation, mandating instead a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Ford congratulated Carney on winning the election in an April 29 social media post and said the province “stands ready” to work with the prime minister and his administration.