The Ford government is proposing changes to Ontario’s bail laws and has the support of Niagara Regional Police Service Chief Bill Fordy.
The new step being taken by the Ford government is to introduce legislation to require an accused person or their surety to provide a cash security deposit in the full amount ordered by the court. According to the province, this would serve to improve bail compliance, help keep violent and repeat offenders in prison, and make it easier for the province to collect bail payments when conditions are violated.
As of today, if a court orders release on a promise to pay, there is no cash deposit required. The amount only has to be paid once the accused violates the terms of their release and the court orders them to make a payment. However, this makes it more difficult for the court to collect forfeited bail payments and makes it easier for those accused to get out on bail.
The new proposed system would require a full cash security deposit, to be returned once the accused follows the terms of their release. Otherwise, the cash is forfeited.
“This is a strong and necessary step toward addressing the serious challenges that have been affecting our frontline officers and communities,” said Fordy. “Stronger, enforceable bail requirements are essential to keeping dangerous individuals off our streets and protecting our community from further harm.”
“We welcome the province’s leadership on this critical issue, and we remain firmly committed to working together to protect the safety and security of everyone in Niagara.”
Other tools being proposed by the province include improving means of collections for garnishing wages, seizing and selling property and property liens for accused and surety bail debts. These tools could be used if cash bail security is not lived up to.
Local MPP Sam Oosterhoff weighed in on the province’s proposed reforms and what he’s heard on the ground in Niagara.
“Our government is taking action by proposing stronger bail requirements to protect public safety in Niagara and across the province,” said Oosterhoff. “I have heard directly from residents and businesses in Niagara of the importance of addressing serious crime and keeping our communities safe. That is why our government is introducing legislation that will help keep dangerous offenders off our streets.”
Attorney General Doug Downey also spoke of the importance of the government’s proposed reforms.
“For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets, putting innocent people at risk,” said Downey. “That is why our government is taking action and delivering on our promise to fix the bail system by making bail more real and consequential for people accused of serious crimes.”
“It is the latest step in our work to keep our streets and communities safe.”
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
