Province considering new bail requirements

The Ford government is proposing several changes to the process by which an accused person obtains bail.

It includes having the money being paid up front.

Associate Solicitor General Zee Hamid says it is aimed at keeping repeat offenders behind bars and facilitating the collection of forfeited bail payments more easily.

“By requiring the full amount of promise to pay cash upfront, there’s a real consequence for repeat offence and noncompliance with bail conditions. Not to mention, if we already have the cash at hand, it makes collecting the debt easier,” says Hamid.

The money would be returned if bail conditions were met.

The proposed legislation also aims to improve how the province collects and administers bail debts.

Measures such as garnishing wages, seizing and selling property and using property liens are being considered.

A database is also proposed to enhance security checks, with the information to be shared with police services and prosecutors across the province.

Hamid says they are also looking to have individuals ordered to wear monitoring devices intended to track their whereabouts to pay the device’s full cost.

“A user-pay approach would ensure that those subject to GPS monitoring contribute to the cost of the device, while the funds could be used to support victim services and other vital justice programs,” says Hamid.

The legislation would also expand bail prosecution teams, which are made up of prosecutors and law enforcement agencies who prepare the strongest possible case in bail hearings.

Existing teams have managed over 4,000 serious violent cases since 2023.

“By strengthening Ontario’s bail system, we’re taking decisive action to protect our communities from violent, repeat offenders,” says Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

“Our government is backing that commitment with record investments to build new correctional facilities, expand capacity and ensure there is always space to keep dangerous criminals behind bars.”

There is no indication of when the legislation may be in place.