Ontario Building Safer and Stronger Communities
NEWS RELEASE
Ontario Building Safer and Stronger Communities
New legislation supporting safety near supervised consumption sites, introducing new tools to monitor sex offenders and targeting auto theft
November 18, 2024
Ministry of the Solicitor General
TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced legislation that, if passed, will help keep streets and communities safe and hold criminals accountable. The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act includes targeted measures to help support public safety near supervised consumption sites, crack down on auto theft and careless driving, enhance the tools police can use to manage sex offenders, tackle illegal cannabis sales and support access to justice. The government is also exploring measures to improve the collection of bail statistics as part of its ongoing calls for Criminal Code reform.
“Our government is keeping our communities safe and holding criminals accountable,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Today, we’re proposing impactful changes to strengthen tools for police officers, improve access to justice and eliminate dangerous activity that puts hard-working people at risk. In Ontario, crime doesn’t pay.”
Building on recent legislation and community safety initiatives, the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act will, if passed:
• Carry through on the government’s previously announced commitment to protect children and families by prohibiting the operation of supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of a school, licensed child-care centre or EarlyON Child and Family Centre through the creation of the Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024
• Require municipalities and local boards to seek provincial approval prior to making or supporting requests for new supervised consumption sites
• Introduce new penalties for fraud related to vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and further combat careless driving through the Highway Traffic Act
• Give police services more tools to monitor sex offenders and investigate sex crimes through Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 and make individuals with active reporting requirements ineligible from legally changing their name, through the Change of Name Act
• Support terrorism victims by amending the Limitations Act, 2002 to remove the limitation period for lawsuits under the federal Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act
• Prohibit advertising and promoting the sale of illegal cannabis through the Cannabis Control Act, 2017
“Our government is making bold and innovative changes to keep communities safe while improving access to mental health and addictions services that focuses on prevention and treatment, meeting people and their families where they are and putting them on a path to recovery,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These proposed changes to consumption treatment sites, along with the $378 million investment we are making in new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs, will support community safety along with the recovery of those struggling with opioid addiction.”
“Our government has been crystal clear, enough is enough,” said Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform Graham McGregor. “We continue to call for meaningful bail reform. Our legislation today will make our streets safer and our communities stronger. The federal government needs to step up and do the same.”
To support the commitment of creating safer communities, the government continues to call on the federal government for enhanced bail measures to keep repeat and violent offenders off Ontario streets.
In addition to amendments proposed in the act, the government is also exploring several initiatives such as:
• Proclaiming the month of November each year as Community Safety and Crime Prevention Month to raise awareness about the importance of local partnerships in combatting crime.
• Expansion of Justice Centres – Integrated Treatment Courts to address the underlying causes of crime
• Examining opportunities to engage on and modernize the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 •
Quotes
"Our proposed changes to the Highway Traffic Act send a clear message to anyone who tries to steal cars or drives recklessly in Ontario. These crimes have a significant impact on victims and local communities. That is why our government is using every tool in our toolbox to crack down on auto theft and ensure Ontario roads continue to be among the safest in North America."
- Prabmeet Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation
"We’re working to keep our communities safe. With these proposed changes, our government is tackling the illegal cannabis market, helping victims of terrorism and making justice more accessible to more communities across Ontario."
- Doug Downey
Attorney General
"Promoting the safety of all Ontarians, modernizing the delivery of policing services, and prioritizing crime prevention and victims of crime are all vital components of healthy and vibrant communities. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police welcomes these legislative changes, which will help make communities safer."
- Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie
President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
"The proposed legislation introduced by the Ministry of the Solicitor General marks a significant step forward in enhancing public safety and policing effectiveness in Ontario. Strengthening the Ontario Sex Offender Registry and aligning it with federal amendments will provide our police services with critical information to combat sex crimes, including those committed online. The modernization of the Community Safety and Policing Act, with its emphasis on governance, operational, and technical requirements, reflects our commitment to evolving and improving our policing standards. These changes will empower our police services to operate with greater flexibility and efficiency, ultimately leading to safer communities across Ontario. We look forward to the positive impact these amendments will bring."
- Patrick J. Weaver
Chair, Ontario Association of Police Service Boards
"Through this bill, the Ford government is cracking down on terrorism by extending the limitation period for victims of terror with an Ontario connection to sue terrorists and their supporters under the Justice for Victims of Terror Act. This is an historic advancement in Canada's fight against terrorism and the pain and horror it inflicts upon our nation. As the principal advocate for the federal Justice for Victims of Terror Act, Secure Canada thanks Premier Ford, Minister Downey, and Minister Kerzner for their decisive leadership in defending Canadians from terror and standing up for its victims today, tomorrow, and always."
- Sheryl Saperia
CEO of Secure Canada
Additional Resources
• The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act
• Ontario Giving Police More Tools to Monitor Registered Sex Offenders
• Ontario Cracking Down on Auto Theft and Careless Driving
• Ontario Calls for Immediate Federal Action on Bail Reform
• Ontario Protecting Communities and Supporting Addiction Recovery with New Treatment Hubs
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Media Contacts
Chelsea McGee
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Chelsea McGee 11/18/2024 |
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