Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is considering a new approach to increase transparency in the justice system by livestreaming bail hearings. Speaking at a press conference Monday, Ford said the proposal is part of a broader effort to address what he describes as problems with Canada’s bail system and to strengthen public confidence in how decisions are made.
Ford explained that bail hearings are currently accessible to the public only if individuals attend the courtroom in person. The government is exploring the idea of broadcasting the proceedings online so the public can observe how judges and prosecutors make decisions about whether accused individuals should remain in custody or be released before trial. However, Ford did not immediately explain how livestreaming would work given that evidence presented during bail hearings is often subject to publication bans.
The premier also suggested new rules that would require written explanations whenever bail is granted to someone accused of a violent offence. According to Ford, this would help ensure consistency in decisions and allow greater public scrutiny. He said the province is also examining the creation of an anonymous regional dashboard that could analyze bail decisions to identify patterns, potential bias, and improve accountability within the justice system.
Ford has repeatedly criticized what he calls “catch and release” bail practices, arguing that repeat offenders are often released too quickly after being arrested. He said the province will continue pressing the federal government to reform bail laws nationwide. In Canada, bail legislation falls primarily under federal jurisdiction, meaning Ontario would need cooperation from Ottawa to make broader legal changes.
The premier’s comments came as he announced plans to expand correctional capacity in eastern Ontario. The provincial government has issued a Request for Qualifications to construct the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre. The project is expected to add 295 correctional beds as part of Ontario’s plan to create more than 1,400 additional beds across the province by 2032.
Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, said the expansion is intended to ensure that space limitations do not force authorities to release offenders who should remain behind bars. He added that the province is investing heavily in correctional infrastructure to strengthen public safety and ensure that violent or repeat offenders are held accountable.
The Ford government has increasingly focused on law and order initiatives in recent weeks. Attorney General Doug Downey recently asked the federal government to consider allowing Canadians to carry pepper spray for self defence and called for mandatory DNA collection from suspects arrested for sexual offences. Together, these proposals reflect a broader push by the province to toughen criminal justice policies and respond to public concerns about safety.
