Law and Safety Archives

Recent appointments risk politicizing the court, tilting the balance to the right, critics say

While criticism of the government's changes to judicial appointments process have been reported, the political nature of some appointments has flown under the radar. ...

Ontario government plans to give itself more control over judicial appointments

A professor who helped design the original appointment process said the changes "give the government too much scope to play politics." ...

Lawyers hold ‘lobby day’ to air concerns about legal aid, judicial appointments and more

The Federation of Ontario Law Associations talked to MPPs and staffers about judicial appointments, cuts to legal aid, and auto insurance premiums. ...

PC government walks back planned future cuts to legal aid, this year’s cuts remain

Attorney General Doug Downey made the funding announcement alongside a package of proposed reforms to the province's justice system. ...

Newly proclaimed Missing Persons Act can ‘significantly advance an investigation,’ officer says

The Missing Persons Act went into effect July 1. ...

Des Rosiers wants to see five-year phase-out of solitary confinement, but PC government says this is not the solution

Liberal MPP calls the use of solitary confinement ‘cruel’ and ‘archaic.’ ...

Province moves to shield itself from negligence lawsuits

The government says it's just codifying case law. Experts and opposition leaders say the move sets a dangerous precedent. ...

Ontario government launches second phase of guns and gangs strategy

The PC government intends to carry out the Liberals' plan to launch justice centres in Ontario. ...

Doug Ford government introduces new policing oversight legislation

The proposed bill would require the SIU to complete investigation in 120 days, or provide an explanation. ...

Office of Ontario’s child advocate contributed to report citing ‘systemic racism’ in Thunder Bay Police Service

Irwin Elman said ‘lived experience’ of youth should help inform how relations between Indigenous communities and police forces can be improved. ...

Updated: OPP commissioner swearing-in delayed, Blair launches court application seeking to force Ombudsman to investigate Taverner complaint

Ron Taverner requested his swearing-in be delayed. ...

Lawyer: Chronic lockdowns at provincial jail jeopardizing justice

Minister Sylvia Jones acknowledged that lawyers can be barred from accessing their clients during lockdowns. ...

In dramatic policy shift, province to go private with pot retail

Consumers would turn to licensed bricks-and-mortar dispensaries rather than a government monopoly, drawing cheers from some quarters and concerns from others. ...

‘It was kind of like his Dukakis moment’: Bulletproof vest controversy enters day two

A police spokesperson couldn't say why the minister was provided with a personalized name tag to wear on his bulletproof vest. ...

New payday loan rules leave both lenders and borrowers frustrated

New caps on fees and loan amounts aim to protect consumers, but actually encourage more borrowing or push clients toward the black market, experts say. ...

Scathing B.C. money laundering report lauds Ontario’s gambling model

"Ontario has much to offer British Columbia" when it comes to regulating gambling, a B.C. report dubbed "Dirty Money" has found. ...

Complaints of civil service wrongdoing prompt provincial offence charge and referral to police, report reveals

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner has declined to release any information about the specifics of the allegations. ...

Premier-designate leaves door open for changes on marijuana legalization

After the federal government set the legalization date for Oct. 17, Doug Ford said he is seeking to consult with others about how cannabis should be sold in Ontario. ...

PC candidate faces eight claims of fraud and ethical breaches, including four ongoing lawsuits

Ripudaman Dhillon, the Tories' man in Brampton North — a riding already tainted by recent scandal — accused of “fraud, deceit, dishonesty” in connection with his immigration consultancy. ...

Human rights watchdog applauds law to curb solitary confinement, despite broader justice system concerns

Legislation marks a 'transformation' following a report last year, the first major review of the correctional system in more than three decades. ...

Patrick Brown broke integrity law, failed to disclose $375K loan from former PC candidate he initially claimed came from family

The integrity commissioner also detailed the strange state of the former Tory leader's finances before his political downfall in January of this year. ...

Ontario Ombudsman calls on province to close gaps in segregation legislation

The Ombudsman is warning that the bill allows for facilities to be exempted by regulation from major pieces of the new law, which could be abused. ...

Human rights commissioner calls for ‘urgent action’ on Indigenous, Black overrepresentation in child welfare system

Indigenous and Black children removed from families at more than two times the rate of rest of child population: report. ...

Cabinet minister says she is open to offering apology to former NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo

DiNovo, known as the 'radical reverend' who has laid claim to performing the first legalized same-sex marriage in Canada in 2001, wants an apology for the fallout. ...

Anti-racism minister calls out Doug Ford for ‘American-style’ politics toward racialized groups and gun violence

Michael Coteau says supporting marginalized communities demands concrete 'solutions,' not just saying, " 'I love Black people and Black people love me.' " ...

Canadians have high anxiety over marijuana legalization, poll finds

The 38-per-cent support for legalization is down from 60 per cent two years ago. ...

OPSEU blames decades of public service cuts for violence in provincial jails

Correctional Services Minister Marie-France Lalonde suggested Wednesday's budget will contain some direction on the future of corrections reform in Ontario. ...

Government passes major police reform bill over union objections

Five years in the making, the "biggest transformation" to police system in a generation means enhanced oversight and suspension powers. ...

Sharp spike in opioid-related deaths prompts outcry in the legislature

Opioid-related deaths are up more than 50 per cent in Ontario, with hospital visits from overdoses increasing 72 per cent. ...

Tory lawmaker suggests internal party investigation may be necessary regarding revelations in leaked emails

Liberal, NDP MPPs call a proposed settlement outlined by a former PC party lawyer that would stop spurned candidate from talking with police "shocking" and "disturbing." ...

Tories mulled reimbursing spurned candidate for cash spent on ‘various illegal activities’: Leaked emails

An email chain obtained by QP Briefing raises questions about the tactics employed in a nomination race and shines a light on the back-and-forth involved in doling out cash to disgruntled candidates. ...

Toronto police association rails against oversight bill

The labour organization said tougher penalties are 'excessive' along with other "outrageous" provisions that will 'crash the system.' ...

‘Shame on you’: NDP lambastes government for 27-month delay on police checks bill

Community safety minister says bill that restricts what can be released in record checks has not come into effect due to delays in setting regulations. ...

Government tables bill to overhaul prison system and reform segregation

Legislation marks a 'transformation' following a report last year, the first major review of the correctional system in more than three decades. ...

Seven words in police reform bill open ‘huge loophole,’ says former police watchdog

Ian Scott says clause amounts to opt-out from officers' duty to comply with oversight body investigations. Police say it's necessary to accommodate health issues. ...

Hackers compromise privacy watchdog’s website

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner says no information was accessed or lost as a popular plug-in on thousands of sites was hijacked for the purpose of crypto-currency mining. ...

Hiring private investigators is Patrick Brown’s due process, his communications adviser says

Crisis communications professional and conservative commentator Alise Mills also says Brown is considering taking legal action. ...

Finance minister says foot-dragging by the feds on pot legalization could cost Ontarians

Provinces say they need months between enactment of legalization and start of sales, possibly making a July 1 start date a pipe dream. ...

Proposed police oversight bill to remain intact despite officers’ wishes: Minister

Community safety minister says sweeping reforms to police oversight and accountability are `all tied together' and should pass this sitting. ...

Patrick Brown and Steve Paikin respond to respective allegations on social media

Brown and Paikin deny any wrongdoing. ...

Steve Paikin faces sexual harassment allegation from ex-mayoral candidate

The accusation concerns a comment the broadcaster allegedly made over lunch with Sarah Thomson in 2010. ...

Court decision backs Ontario’s medically assisted dying policy

Doctors who object to medically assisted deaths must refer patients to willing physicians, judges say in a ruling that cuts to the core of conscientious objection and patient rights. ...

Scorned Tory nomination candidate Vikram Singh drops lawsuit against PCs

A criminal investigation into the Hamilton-area nomination contest continues. ...

PC party exec testifies under oath in civil case on controversial nomination

Lawyer questions party president Rick Dykstra in civil case over alleged ballot-box stuffing and voter fraud. ...

Court erases mysterious chat between Brown aide and would-be candidate

Divisional court ruling permanently seals off transcript — after Tories spend $300,000 fighting its release — in legal battle over controversial Hamilton-area nomination. ...

Province ordered to end solitary confinement for inmates with mental health issues

Human rights watchdog applauds tribunal ruling, questions where troubled prisoners will be housed in outdated facilities. ...

Correctional reform bill finally on the way

Province plans to table legislation to overhaul solitary confinement and prison system in next few months, after more than three decades without major update. ...