Ontario plans to require bail cash up front as part of new justice bill

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is set to table legislation that would require people accused of a crime and granted bail to provide a cash security deposit up front, rather than paying later if they break their bail conditions.

Attorney General Doug Downey says he believes that the measure and others announced today would improve bail compliance.

“For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets, putting innocent people at risk,” said Downey on Monday. “That’s 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.”

Currently, if people are ordered released on bail with a promise to pay, the accused person and their surety only have to forfeit the money if the accused breaches their release conditions and the court orders payment.

Under the proposed new system, payment would be made when the accused person is released from custody, and it would be returned at the conclusion of their case.

Downey and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner also announced a number of other non-legislative measures aimed at strengthening the bail system, including better digital tools to track repeat offenders and expanding bail prosecution teams.

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

The two ministers held a press conference today alongside Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, who says that while rates of most types of crime are falling, there is a rising amount of young people involved in gun crimes, so “now is not the time to slow down.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is set to table legislation that would require people accused of a crime and granted bail to provide a cash security deposit up front, rather than paying later if they break their bail conditions. Attorney General Doug Downey says he believes that the measure and others announced today would improve   

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is set to table legislation that would require people accused of a crime and granted bail to provide a cash security deposit up front, rather than paying later if they break their bail conditions.

Attorney General Doug Downey says he believes that the measure and others announced today would improve bail compliance.

“For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets, putting innocent people at risk,” said Downey on Monday. “That’s 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.”

Currently, if people are ordered released on bail with a promise to pay, the accused person and their surety only have to forfeit the money if the accused breaches their release conditions and the court orders payment.

Under the proposed new system, payment would be made when the accused person is released from custody, and it would be returned at the conclusion of their case.

Downey and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner also announced a number of other non-legislative measures aimed at strengthening the bail system, including better digital tools to track repeat offenders and expanding bail prosecution teams.

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

The two ministers held a press conference today alongside Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, who says that while rates of most types of crime are falling, there is a rising amount of young people involved in gun crimes, so “now is not the time to slow down.”