Commissioner for Democratic Rights Act, 2025

SUMMARY FROM THE OFFICIAL REGISTRY

What you need to know

The Bill enacts the Commissioner for Democratic Rights Act, 2025 . The Act provides that there shall be a Commissioner for Democratic Rights who is an officer of the Assembly. The Assembly shall, by order, appoint the Commissioner. An order appointing the Commissioner shall be made only after, unless decided otherwise by unanimous consent of the Assembly, the person to be appointed has been selected by unanimous agreement of a panel composed of one member of the Assembly from each recognized party, chaired by the Speaker who is a non-voting member. The Commissioner shall hold office for a five-year term and may be reappointed for one further term. The Commissioner may appoint a Deputy Commissioner. The Commissioner for Democratic Rights shall monitor barriers to voting; review legislation, regulations and government actions with respect to their effects on democratic rights and processes; review and report on provincial interventions into local government structures, councils and elections and promote civic education, encourage democratic participation and support special reports to the Assembly regarding the state of democracy in Ontario. The Commissioner may make recommendations for legislative or policy reforms to strengthen democratic processes and to ensure fair and equal access to voting for all Ontarians. In relation to these functions, the Commissioner for Democratic Rights may examine any person on oath, may conduct an inquiry within the meaning of section 33 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009 and may conduct investigations.