Ontario Introduces Legislation to Protect Communities and Keep Streets Safe

  • Our government is delivering on our promise to keep our streets safe and protect Ontario’s communities.
  • The Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act is the latest step in our plan to crack down on illegal activity, protect victims of crime and strengthen public safety.
  • If passed, the bold new legislation would:
    • Protect transit users by giving special constables on designated transit systems the authority to stop individuals from using illegal drugs on transit.
    • Support survivors of human trafficking by providing up to $50,000 in debt relief for those who were forced or coerced into debt by their traffickers.
    • Protect victims by allowing restraining orders issued by other provinces to be enforced in Ontario without additional court declarations.
    • Protect communities by allowing the OPP to publish information about high-risk offenders, including high-risk sex offenders, on a provincial public website.
    • Reduce wait times for police record checks for people working or volunteering with vulnerable populations such as children, seniors and people with disabilities.
    • Strengthen oversight and accountability in the towing and private security industries through enhanced qualifications, training, licensing and enforcement measures.
    • Protect sensitive provincial data and support Canadian-made drone technology by restricting government use of Chinese-made drones.
  • This legislation builds on previous public safety and justice reforms passed in the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act and the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act.