Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025

RÉSUMÉ DU REGISTRE OFFICIEL

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SCHEDULE 1 BAIL ACT The Bail Act is amended to require sureties and persons who were a surety and who have become a judgment debtor of the Crown in right of Ontario to provide information in accordance with the regulations. The amendments also permit Crown Attorneys to delegate their powers and duties under section 1 or 7 of the Act. SCHEDULE 2 CHILDREN’S LAW REFORM ACT Section 35 of the Children’s Law Reform Act is amended to allow additional persons to apply for restraining orders on behalf of persons already permitted to do so under that section of the Act. Subsection 61 (3) of the Act is amended to clarify that it applies to minor parents who have never been married. SCHEDULE 3 CHRISTOPHER’S LAW (SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY), 2000 The Schedule amends Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 . The amendments include the following: 1. The definition of “sex offence” is amended to provide that an offence under section 162 (voyeurism) of the Criminal Code (Canada) constitutes a “sex offence”, regardless of whether an order has been made under section 490.012 of that Act. 2. Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 currently provides for specified offenders to appear in person at specified times, including special rules relating to offenders who are convicted of offences against a child and who travel. Amendments are made to provide that these special rules apply to an offender who is convicted of a sex offence against a child, regardless of whether the offender is required to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada). SCHEDULE 4 COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POLICING ACT, 2019 The Schedule makes various amendments to the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 . Here are some highlights: 1. Section 19 of the Act currently allows chiefs of police to request temporary assistance in providing adequate and effective policing from another chief of police or an entity that employs First Nation Officers. Section 19 is amended to allow chiefs of police to also request temporary assistance from an entity governed by the law of another Canadian jurisdiction. 2. Section 68 of the Act currently sets out the role of O.P.P. detachment boards and includes the requirement to consult with the Commissioner regarding the selection of a detachment commander. Amendments are made to require O.P.P. detachment boards to participate in the Commissioner’s selection of a permanent detachment commander. The Commissioner’s process for engaging the O.P.P. detachment boards must be consistent with the regulations, if any. 3. Currently, the Act authorizes the Minister to make complaints under sections 106 and 107. The Act is amended to require a Minister’s complaint to be made in writing. Additionally, when making a complaint, the Minister may request that the Inspector General consider imposing interim measures in relation to the matter that is the subject of the complaint. The Inspector General is authorized to impose interim measures in respect of such a complaint if specified circumstances are met and processes respecting the imposition of interim measures are established. SCHEDULE 5 COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT The Schedule amends various provisions of the Courts of Justice Act in relation to the appointment of provincial judges. Section 42 is amended to add a new criterion for a person to qualify for appointment as a provincial judge: the person must undertake to not request a transfer to a different court location during the first five years following appointment unless extenuating circumstances apply. Subsection 87.2 (1) is consequentially re-enacted so that the appointment of a Small Claims Court Administrative Judge, which otherwise relies on the same qualifying criteria, does not take the new criterion into account. Section 43 provides for the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee, which reviews applications by candidates for appointment as a provincial judge and makes recommendations respecting those candidates to the Attorney General. Subsection 43 (2) is amended to eliminate a restriction on appointing lawyers as members of the Committee. Section 43.1 sets out the process by which the Committee recommends provincial judge candidates to the Attorney General, who then recommends candidates to the Lieutenant Governor in Council for appointment when there is a judicial vacancy. Section 43.1 is amended so that the Committee’s processes for advertising for applications for candidacy, reviewing them and making recommendations need not be contingent on a judicial vacancy.