TORONTO — The Ontario government is preparing to introduce major changes to the province’s bail system, including a new requirement for accused individuals or their sureties to provide a full cash security deposit before release — a move officials say will strengthen compliance, protect communities and address long-standing challenges with enforcing bail conditions.
The proposed reform is part of the province’s broader public-safety strategy and aims to prevent violent, repeat offenders from cycling in and out of custody.
Government says “broken bail system” puts communities at risk
“For too long, the broken bail system has allowed violent and repeat offenders back on our streets, putting innocent people at risk,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “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.”
Under the current system, individuals released on a “promise to pay” do not have to deposit any funds upfront. The province argues this model makes it difficult and time-consuming to collect forfeited bail after conditions are breached.
The new cash-deposit model would require accused persons or their sureties to immediately submit the full amount ordered by the court. Funds would be returned at the conclusion of a case if conditions are met — but automatically forfeited if they are not.
Going live with @TeamKerzner, @zeeinmilton, @MichaelTibollo and @TPSMyronDemkiw.
We’re announcing the latest move in our government’s plan to #ProtectOntario and keep communities safe.
— Doug Downey (@douglasdowney) November 24, 2025
Strengthened collection tools and new surety database
The legislation is also expected to include several enforcement enhancements, such as:
-
Mandatory up-to-date contact information from sureties.
-
Expanded collection tools including wage garnishment, property liens and asset seizure for unpaid bail debts.
-
A new provincial surety database designed to track compliance, prevent repeat misuse, and streamline police access to information across jurisdictions.
Officials say the database will also help identify cases where sureties have failed to report breaches or have taken responsibility for multiple accused persons at once — scenarios that have raised public-safety concerns in several high-risk cases.
More prosecutors and more correctional capacity
The bail reform plan includes the continued expansion of Ontario’s specialized bail prosecution teams, which work with police to prepare high-risk cases. Since 2023, these teams have managed more than 4,100 serious violent cases at the bail stage.
“As part of our commitment to protect communities, we’re making sure Ontario always has space to keep dangerous criminals behind bars,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, noting ongoing investments to build new correctional facilities, reopen former institutions, and expand permanent bed capacity.
Associate Solicitor General Zee Hamid added that the province will “continue to push the federal government” on broader bail and sentencing reforms.
Police and law-enforcement leaders welcome the move
The province’s announcement received support from police associations and senior public-safety officials.
“These additional measures to improve bail compliance and keep repeat violent offenders in custody will make our communities safer,” said Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw.
Mark Baxter, President of the Police Association of Ontario, said the strengthened rules and enforcement tools “send a clear message that violent and repeat offenders will be held accountable.”
Part of a multi-year strategy
Ontario has invested $112 million to strengthen bail enforcement, including the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant, which supports police services across the province in monitoring high-risk offenders.
The new legislation is expected to be tabled in the coming weeks.
Follow GTA Weekly for more local news and updates. #GTAWeekly
Leave a Reply