Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025

EXPLANATORY NOTE

SCHEDULE 1
ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH ACT

The Animals for Research Act is amended.

Under new section 15.1, invasive medical research on cats, dogs and other prescribed animals is prohibited, subject to specific exceptions. Other research on cats, dogs and other prescribed animals is prohibited unless specific conditions are met.

The roles and responsibilities of animal care committees in registered research facilities are set out.

Operators of supply facilities are prohibited from breeding cats or dogs for research purposes.

Minor offences and major offences, and maximum penalties for each, are set out.

Various technical amendments are made, including with respect to the registration of research facilities.

SCHEDULE 2
BAIL ACT

The Schedule makes various amendments to the Bail Act, including the following:

    1.  Subsection 1 (1) is repealed and replaced so that certificates of lien are no longer delivered or transmitted to the sheriff of the county in which the land mentioned in the certificate is located but instead registered, in the proper land registry office, against the land mentioned in the certificate for an amount equal to the amount a surety has promised to pay.

    2.  Section 2 is repealed and replaced to provide that if a surety fails to pay any amount they owe to the Crown under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada), the Crown may enforce the lien by sale of the real property against which it is registered.

    3.  A new section 3 provides that a lien arising from a certificate of lien registered against the land expires six years after the day the certificate was registered, unless certain conditions apply.

    4.  Section 8 is repealed and replaced to authorize the Minister of the Finance to take measures in order to enforce the collection of debt to the Crown under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada).

    5.  A new section 8.0.1 requires payment from an accused or surety if a release order referred to in section 515 of the Criminal Code (Canada) sets out a requirement for the accused or surety to pay an amount of money if the accused fails to comply with a condition of the order.

    6.  Related transition rules are set out in a new section 8.4.

SCHEDULE 3
CONSTABLE JOE MACDONALD PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS’ SURVIVORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND ACT, 2025

The Schedule enacts the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Act, 2025. The major elements of the Act are described below.

Currently, the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund is established under an Order in Council to provide and distribute scholarships for the surviving spouses and children of public safety officers who died in the line of duty. The Act continues this Fund and sets out rules for the granting of scholarships, while also allowing the scholarships to be granted in circumstances prescribed in the regulations. It also continues the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Committee that was originally established by Order in Council and sets out rules respecting its membership and functions. Regulation-making powers are added respecting the Fund and scholarships granted under the Act.

SCHEDULE 4
CORONERS ACT

The Schedule amends the Coroners Act.

Currently, clause 7 (1) (c) of the Act requires the Chief Forensic Pathologist to conduct programs for the instruction of pathologists. This is replaced with new requirements to facilitate the postgraduate training of pathologists and to conduct continuing education programs.

New section 50.2 is added to the Act. This section prohibits photographs, audio or video recordings or other records at an inquest and in certain related contexts. It also prohibits the publication, broadcasting or reproduction of those records. Exceptions are set out for notes, sketches, certain audio recordings and specified records that have been authorized by the presiding coroner. Contraventions of this section are offences.

SCHEDULE 5
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT

The Schedule makes various amendments to the Highway Traffic Act relating to driver’s licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments and increased fines in certain circumstances, including amendments providing for and respecting the following:

    1.  Indefinite suspension, in certain circumstances, of the driver’s licence of a person who is convicted of a Criminal Code (Canada) offence respecting dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death.

    2.  Suspension of a person’s driver’s licence and the impoundment of the person’s vehicle if a police officer believes a contravention of Criminal Code (Canada) provisions respecting dangerous operation of conveyances has occurred.

    3.  The right to appeal the impoundment of the person’s vehicle for driving while the person’s licence is suspended and the grounds and processes for the appeal.

    4.  Higher fines and longer licence suspensions in certain circumstances on conviction for the offence of driving while suspended and longer periods for which the vehicle that was driven may be impounded.

    5.  Higher fines on conviction for the offence of driving with a visible display screen if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle.

    6.  Higher fines and suspension of a person’s driver’s licence on conviction for the offence of driving while holding devices if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle.

    7.  Suspension of a person’s driver’s licence if a police officer believes the offence of driving carelessly has occurred.

SCHEDULE 6
POLICE RECORD CHECKS REFORM ACT, 2015

The Schedule amends the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015.

Under section 9 of the Act, a police record check provider shall not disclose information unless the information is authorized to be disclosed in connection with a particular type of police record check in accordance with the Schedule to the Act.

Currently, the Schedule to the Act authorizes, for certain types of police record checks, the disclosure of every criminal offence of which the individual has been convicted and for which a pardon has not been issued or granted, with the exception that such an offence may not be disclosed in the case of a summary conviction if the request for information is made more than five years after the date of the summary conviction.

The Schedule to the Act is amended to provide that this exception to the disclosure applies to convictions for an offence that may be prosecuted only by way of summary conviction proceedings if the request is made more than five years after the date of the conviction.

New section 14.1 of the Act requires a police record check provider to comply with any prescribed service standards with respect to conducting police record checks. Certain causes of actions are extinguished with respect to any purported failure to comply with those service standards.

The Minister is authorized to make regulations for the purposes of section 14.1 of the Act, such as regulations establishing service standards or requiring that a police record check provider report on such matters respecting compliance with the service standards as the regulations specify.

SCHEDULE 7
PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES ACT, 2019

The Schedule amends the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019.

Currently, section 49 of the Act sets out the same sanctions for contravening the prohibition on causing harm or attempting to cause harm to an animal that works with peace officers and the prohibition on causing harm or attempting to cause harm to a service animal. These sanctions include a minimum fine of $25,000 as well as a maximum fine. For an individual, the maximum fine is $130,000 for a first offence and $260,000 for a second or subsequent offence. For a corporation, the maximum fine is $500,000 for a first offence and $1,000,000 for a second or subsequent offence.

Section 49 is amended to change the fines that may be imposed for contravening the prohibition on causing harm or attempting to cause harm to an animal that works with peace officers. The minimum fine is increased to $50,000 and the maximum fine becomes, in the case of an individual, $260,000, or in the case of a corporation, $1,000,000, regardless of whether it is a first, second or subsequent offence.

Consequential amendments are made to reflect this change.

In addition, corrections are made to the French version of the Act.

Bill 75 2025

An Act to enact the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Act, 2025 and to amend various other Acts

CONTENTS

 

Preamble

The Government of Ontario is committed to:

Reforming the bail system to protect Ontario communities;

Stopping dangerous drivers to keep Ontario roads and highways safe;

Improving access to justice and protecting public safety; and

Promoting the humane treatment of animals.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Contents of this Act

1 This Act consists of this section, sections 2 and 3, and the Schedules to this Act.

Commencement

2 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

(2)  The Schedules to this Act come into force as provided in each Schedule.

(3)  If a Schedule to this Act provides that any of its provisions are to come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, an order may apply to one or more of those provisions, and orders may be issued at different times with respect to any of those provisions.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025.

SCHEDULE 1
ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH ACT

1 (1)  The definition of “Minister” in subsection 1 (1) of the Animals for Research Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

(2)  Subsection 1 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following definitions:

“Ministry” means the ministry of the Minister; (“ministère”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

2 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Prohibited breeding

3.1  No operator of a supply facility shall breed cats or dogs for research purposes.

3 Subsections 4 (2) and (3) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Registration, renewals

(2)  Subject to subsection (3), the Director shall register a research facility, or renew the registration of a research facility, whose operator applies for registration or renewal and pays the prescribed fee unless the Director is of the opinion that,

  (a)  the past conduct of the applicant or, if the applicant is a corporation, of its officers, its directors or any prescribed persons, affords reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will not operate the research facility in accordance with the law;

  (b)  the research facility does not have the pens, cages, compounds, tools, implements, buildings and dietary materials necessary to properly care for and handle animals;

   (c)  the research facility was formerly registered and its registration was revoked less than one year before the date of the application; or

  (d)  the applicant or the research facility does not meet the prescribed requirements, if any.

Refusal to register, renew

(3)  The Director may, after a hearing, refuse to register a research facility or renew the registration of a research facility if the Director is of the opinion that one or more of the grounds set out in clause (2) (a), (b) or (d) exist.

4 Section 5 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Suspension, revocation

5 The Director may, after a hearing, suspend or revoke the registration of a research facility if,

  (a)  any of the facilities, equipment or materials referred to in clause 4 (2) (b) have not been properly maintained or are no longer available at the research facility; or

  (b)  the operator of the research facility or any person employed by or associated with the operator in the operation of the research facility has failed to comply with this Act or the regulations or with any Act relating to cruelty to or maltreatment or neglect of animals.

5 Subsection 12 (2) of the Act is repealed.

6 (1)  Subsection 14 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Sale, gift, etc.

(2)  No operator of a research facility shall sell, gift or otherwise transfer ownership of an animal to any person unless,

  (a)  the research facility has a written procedure for transferring ownership of animals;

  (b)  the procedure satisfies any prescribed requirements;

   (c)  the procedure has been reviewed and approved by an animal care committee; and

  (d)  the operator complies with the approved procedure.

(2)  Subsection 14 (3) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(0.a) the sale, gift or transfer of ownership of an animal owned by the operator of the research facility in their personal capacity or for a purpose other than research;

7 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Invasive medical research

15.1  (1)  No person shall perform invasive medical research on cats, dogs or other prescribed animals.

Exception

(2)  Despite subsection (1), invasive medical research on an animal mentioned in that subsection is permitted at a registered research facility if,

  (a)  the research is for a veterinary purpose set out in the regulations or is otherwise described in the regulations;

  (b)  the operator of the registered research facility where the research would be performed submits a research project proposal that meets the prescribed criteria, if any, to the animal care committee for the registered research facility;

   (c)  the animal care committee reviews the research project proposal and provides the operator of the registered research facility with its approval, in writing, in accordance with subsection 17 (3.1); and

  (d)  the research is carried out in accordance with the approved research project proposal and in accordance with any prescribed requirements, conditions or limitations.

Other research

(3)  No person shall perform any research other than invasive medical research on cats, dogs or other prescribed animals unless the conditions in clauses (2) (b) to (d) are satisfied with respect to the research.

8 (1)  Subsection 17 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Animal care committee

(1)  The operator of a registered research facility shall ensure that,

  (a)  an animal care committee is established or engaged in respect of the research facility in accordance with this section; and

  (b)  the animal care committee carries out its duties under this Act with respect to the research facility.

Membership

(1.1)  The members of the animal care committee shall include,

  (a)  at least one veterinarian; and

  (b)  such other members as may be required by the regulations or who meet such criteria as may be set out in the regulations.

(2)  Subsection 17 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Responsibility of animal care committee

(2)  Every animal care committee established or engaged under subsection (1) in respect of a registered research facility shall be responsible for co-ordinating and reviewing the following from time to time for the facility:

    1.  Its activities and procedures relating to the care of animals.

    2.  Its standards of care and facilities, equipment and materials for animals.

    3.  The training for and qualifications of personnel engaged in the care of animals at the facility.

    4.  Its protocol for how animals will be used in research.

    5.  Its procedures for the prevention of unnecessary pain including the use of anaesthetics and analgesics.

(3)  Section 17 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Review of research project proposal

(3.1)  In the prescribed circumstances, the animal care committee shall,

  (a)  review research project proposals to assess compliance with any prescribed criteria mentioned in section 15.1;

  (b)  if it approves a research project proposal, include confirmation of how the proposal satisfies the criteria mentioned in clause (a); and

   (c)  provide the research facility with a written record of its review.

Records

(3.2)  The operator of a registered research facility shall retain records of the animal care committee’s reviews and assessments under this Act in accordance with the regulations.

(4)  Subsection 17 (4) of the Act is amended by striking out “an offence has been or will be committed against section 16 in any research facility in connection with which it is established” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “section 15.1 or 16 is being contravened or will be contravened in any research facility in respect of which it is established or engaged”.

9 (1)  Clause 18 (3) (c) of the Act is amended by striking out “relating to animals that” in the portion before subclause (i) and substituting “relating to research conducted at a research facility or proposed to be conducted at a research facility or relating to animals that”.

(2)  Subsection 18 (4) of the Act is amended by adding “or 158.1” after “158” in the portion before clause (a).

(3)  Subsection 18 (5) of the Act is amended by adding “or 158.1” after “158”.

10 (1)  Subsection 20 (4) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Identifying dogs, cats

(4)  The operator of a pound who has impounded a dog or cat shall take any prescribed steps, and any other reasonable steps, to find the owner of the dog or cat and shall notify the owner as soon as reasonably possible that the dog or cat has been impounded.

(2)  Clause 20 (6) (c) of the Act is amended by striking out “sell” at the beginning and substituting “subject to the regulations, sell”.

11 Section 21 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Offences

Minor offences

21 (1)  Every person is guilty of an offence who,

  (a)  contravenes a provision of this Act or the regulations not referenced in subsection (2);

  (b)  contravenes or fails to comply with an order of an animal care committee under subsection 17 (4); or

   (c)  knowingly provides false or misleading information to the chief inspector or to another inspector.

Major offences

(2)  Every person is guilty of an offence who contravenes any of the following:

    1.  Subsection 2 (1) (Operator required to be licensed).

    2.  Subsection 4 (1) (Research facility required to be registered).

    3.  Subsection 14 (1) (Purchase or other acquisition of animals).

    4.  Subsection 14 (2) (Sale, gift, etc.).

    5.  Subsection 15.1 (1) (Invasive medical research).

    6.  Subsection 15.1 (3) (Other research).

    7.  Subsection 16 (1) (Animals to be anaesthetized).

    8.  Subsection 16 (2) (Analgesics to be provided).

    9.  Subsection 17 (1) (Animal care committee).

  10.  Subsection 20 (5) or (6) (Dog or cat not to be destroyed).

Penalty — individual, minor offences

(3)  On conviction under subsection (1), an individual is liable,

  (a)  in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $75,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both; or

  (b)  in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.

Penalty — individual, major offences

(4)  On conviction under subsection (2), an individual is liable,

  (a)  in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $130,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both; or

  (b)  in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $260,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both.

Penalty — corporation, minor offences

(5)  On conviction under subsection (1), a corporation is liable,

  (a)  in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000; or

  (b)  in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000.

Penalty — corporation, major offences

(6)  On conviction under subsection (2), a corporation is liable,

  (a)  in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or

  (b)  in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000.

12 (1)  Section 23 of the Act is amended by adding the following clauses:

(0.a) respecting anything in this Act that is described as being prescribed or done by regulation;

(0.b) defining or clarifying the meaning of any word or expression used in this Act that is not otherwise defined in this Act;

.     .     .     .     .

(d.1) governing animal care committees or assigning them duties;

.     .     .     .     .

(e.1) governing standards or requirements for the carrying out of research in a research facility, including conditions, limitations and restrictions in respect of the research;

.     .     .     .     .

(n.1) governing such transitional matters as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable in connection with the implementation of the amendments made by the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025;

(2)  Clause 23 (h) of the Act is amended by adding “and for how long they shall be kept” at the end.

13 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

General provisions re regulations

General or particular

24 (1)  A regulation under this Act may be general or particular in its application.

Incorporation by reference, standards of practice

(2)  A regulation may incorporate by reference, in whole or in part and with such changes as are considered necessary, any code, standard, guideline or similar document.

Rolling incorporation

(3)  If a regulation incorporates by reference a code, standard, guideline or similar document, the regulation may require compliance with the code, standard, guideline or document as amended from time to time, whether the amendment was made before or after the regulation was made.

Same

(4)  A code, standard, guideline or similar document adopted pursuant to subsection (3) must be created by a recognized body and must not be a code, standard, guideline or document created by the Ministry.

Commencement

14 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 2
BAIL ACT

1 Subsection 1 (1) of the Bail Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Registration of certificate of lien

(1)  In cases where a release order referred to in section 515 of the Criminal Code (Canada) is made in respect of an accused, the Crown Attorney may register, in the proper land registry office, a certificate of lien against the land mentioned in the certificate for an amount equal to the amount a surety has promised to pay in the release order if the accused fails to comply with a condition of the order.

2 Section 2 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Sale of land in the event of default

2 If the surety referred to in subsection 1 (1) fails to pay to the Crown any amount the surety has been ordered to pay under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada), the Crown may enforce the lien by sale of the real property against which it is registered in the same manner as a sale to realize on a mortgage.

Expiry of lien

3 A lien arising from a certificate of lien registered under section 1 expires on the sixth anniversary of the date the certificate was registered against the land unless, before the end of the six-year period,

  (a)  a writ of fieri facias issued under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada) against the surety referred to in subsection 1 (1) of this Act is filed with the sheriff of the county in which the land is situated; and

  (b)  the sheriff takes all the steps they are required to take under subsection 10 (4) of the Execution Act in respect of the writ they have received.

3 Section 6 of the Act is repealed.

4 Subsection 7 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Certificate of discharge

(1)  The Crown Attorney may,

  (a)  register a certificate of discharge in the proper land registry office; or

  (b)  if the certificate of lien is continued under section 8.4, deliver a certificate of discharge to the sheriff to whom the certificate of lien was delivered or transmitted.

5 Section 8 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Collection of amounts owed to the Crown

8 (1)  The Minister of Finance may take one or more of the measures described in section 11.1.1, 11.1.2 or 11.1.4 of the Ministry of Revenue Act to enforce the collection of a debt to the Crown under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada) if the Minister responsible for the administration of this Act has entered into a memorandum of understanding under section 11.1 of the Ministry of Revenue Act for the Minister of Finance to provide collection services.

Application of ss. 11.1.1, 11.1.2 and 11.1.4 of Ministry of Revenue Act

(2)  None of the measures described in section 11.1.1, 11.1.2 or 11.1.4 of the Ministry of Revenue Act shall be taken with respect to debt referred to in subsection (1) of this section unless,

  (a)  the Minister responsible for the administration of this Act has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Finance for the purpose of authorizing the Ministry of Finance to take such measures; and

  (b)  such measures are taken in accordance with,

           (i)  the terms set out in the memorandum of understanding referred to in clause (a), and

          (ii)  any other requirements, limitations, conditions or terms prescribed by the regulations.

6 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Security deposit

8.0.1  (1)  The following requirements apply with respect to a release order referred to in section 515 of the Criminal Code (Canada) made in respect of an accused:

    1.  If the order sets out the accused’s promise to pay a specified amount if the accused fails to comply with a condition of the order, the accused shall pay the amount specified in the order to the person specified in the regulations, at the time and in the manner specified in the regulations.

    2.  If the order sets out a surety’s promise to pay a specified amount if the accused fails to comply with a condition of the order, the surety shall pay the amount specified in the order to the person specified in the regulations, at the time and in the manner specified in the regulations.

Offence

(2)  A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence.

7 Subsection 8.1 (2) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

  1.2  A person named as a surety in a release order referred to in section 515 of the Criminal Code (Canada) for which a certificate of default has been endorsed under section 770 of that Act.

8 The Act is amended by adding the following sections:

Limitation period

8.3  A proceeding for an offence under this Act shall not be commenced after five years after the date on which the offence was, or is alleged to have been, committed.

Transition

8.4 (1)  Certificates of lien that were delivered or transmitted to the sheriff of the county in which the land is situated before the day section 8 of Schedule 2 to the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 came into force continue to be in effect but are deemed to expire two years after that day unless a writ of fieri facias issued under section 771 of the Criminal Code (Canada) in respect of the lien is filed with the sheriff before they expire.

Same

(2)  The sheriff may withdraw from the index of writs of execution maintained under the Execution Act any certificate of lien deemed to have expired under subsection (1) without notice to the Crown Attorney.

9 (1)  Section 9 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

   (c)  prescribing requirements, limitations, conditions or terms for the purposes of subclause 8 (2) (b) (ii).

(2)  Section 9 of the Act is amended by adding the following clauses:

  (d)  governing the payment of amounts under subsection 8.0.1 (1);

  (e)  providing for the administration of amounts received under subsection 8.0.1 (1), including how such amounts shall be held and administered and the circumstances in which an amount or part of an amount shall be refunded to the person who paid the amount.

(3)  Section 9 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Regulations re transitional matters

(2)  The Minister responsible for the administration of this Act may make regulations governing transitional matters that, in the opinion of the Minister, are necessary or advisable to deal with issues arising out of the amendments to this Act made by Schedule 2 to the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025.

Execution Act

10 (1)  Paragraph 1 of subsection 10 (4) of the Execution Act is amended by striking out “under the Bail Act” and substituting “continued under section 8.4 of the Bail Act”.

(2)  Subsection 10 (6) of the Act is amended by striking out “under the Bail Act” and substituting “continued under section 8.4 of the Bail Act”.

Land Titles Act

11 Subsection 136 (2) of the Land Titles Act is amended by striking out “any certificate of lien under the Bail Act” and substituting “by any certificate of lien continued under section 8.4 of the Bail Act”.

Commencement

12 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 3
CONSTABLE JOE MACDONALD PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS’ SURVIVORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND ACT, 2025

CONTENTS

 

Definitions

1 In this Act,

“Committee” means the committee continued under section 5; (“Comité”)

“Fund” means the fund continued under section 2; (“Fonds”)

“Minister” means the Solicitor General or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“public safety officer” means,

  (a)  a police officer as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019,

  (b)  a First Nation Officer as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019,

   (c)  a firefighter as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997,

  (d)  a person employed under Part III of the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 as a correctional officer, probation officer or parole officer, or any combination thereof,

  (e)  a probation officer as defined in section 144 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, or

   (f)  a member of any other prescribed category; (“agent de sécurité publique”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act. (“règlements”)

Fund continued

2 (1)  The Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund established by Order in Council 1453/97 is continued under this Act under the name Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund in English and Fonds Joe MacDonald de bourses d’études à l’intention des survivants d’agents de sécurité publique in French.

Purpose

(2)  The purpose of the Fund is to provide and distribute scholarships to provide for the costs of tuition and student living allowances for post-secondary education to the surviving spouses and children of public safety officers who died in the line of duty or in other prescribed circumstances.

Initial balance transfer

(3)  On the day this section comes into force, the amount of the balance that was credited to the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund established by Order in Council 1453/97, including, for greater certainty, the initial principal amount of $5 million and any interest earned but not paid out from the Fund, shall be credited to the account of the Fund continued under this Act.

Additional funding

(4)  The Treasury Board, having regard to the Fund’s condition, expenditures and forecasted liability, may direct that the Fund be credited with such an amount as may be considered necessary or advisable.

Authorized charges

(5)  Amounts may be charged to the Fund and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the following purposes:

    1.  To fund the grant of a scholarship as described in section 4.

    2.  To fund reimbursement of the expenses of the Committee as described in subsection 5 (5).

    3.  For any other prescribed purpose in respect of the administration of the Fund.

Minister’s responsibility

3 The Minister shall be responsible for the granting and administration of scholarships under this Act.

Applications for scholarships

4 (1)  A spouse or a child of a public safety officer who died in the line of duty or in the prescribed circumstances may apply to the Minister for a scholarship from the Fund to support their education at a post-secondary institution.

Form and manner of application

(2)  The application must be made in the form and manner approved by the Minister.

Granting of scholarships

(3)  The Minister shall grant a scholarship to the applicant if, in the Minister’s opinion, the application has met the prescribed criteria, taking into account any recommendations of the Committee.

Amount

(4)  The amount of the scholarship shall be determined in accordance with the rules set out in the regulations and may, for greater certainty, include amounts respecting the cost of tuition or a student living allowance.

Ongoing eligibility

(5)  A person who has been granted a scholarship under this Act must meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, if any, in order to continue receiving the scholarship.

Committee

5 (1)  The Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Committee established by Order in Council 1453/97 is continued under this Act.

Mandate

(2)  The Committee shall review applications submitted under this Act and make recommendations to the Minister about them.

Members

(3)  The Minister shall appoint the members of the Committee for a term not exceeding three years and may reappoint members for any number of additional terms which each must not exceed three years.

Chair

(4)  The Minister shall designate one member of the Committee as the chair and may designate one or more members as vice-chairs.

Reimbursement for reasonable expenses

(5)  The members of the Committee shall not receive remuneration but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in performing their duties under this Act in accordance with the directives or guidelines issued by the Management Board of Cabinet.

Expenses

(6)  The expenses of the Committee shall be paid from the Fund.

Committee’s recommendations

(7)  The Committee shall recommend to the Minister that a scholarship be granted if the prescribed criteria are satisfied.

Regulations

6 The Minister may make regulations,

  (a)  prescribing anything that this Act refers to as being prescribed or set out in the regulations;

  (b)  governing the administration of the Fund, including payment out of the fund, the recognition of revenue and the incurrence of expenditures;

   (c)  governing applications for scholarships under this Act;

  (d)  governing the determination of the amount of a scholarship granted under this Act;

  (e)  governing the administration of scholarships granted under this Act;

   (f)  establishing rules or requirements that apply in order for a person to continue to receive a scholarship that has been granted under this Act;

  (g)  defining or clarifying the meaning of any word or expression used in this Act that is not otherwise defined in this Act, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

           (i)  “child”,

          (ii)  “died in the line of duty”,

         (iii)  “parent”,

         (iv)  “post-secondary institution”,

          (v)  “student living allowance”;

  (h)  governing transitional matters that may arise due to the enactment of Schedule 3 to the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025;

    (i)  respecting any other matter necessary or advisable to implement this Act effectively.

Commencement

7 The Act set out in this Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Short title

8 The short title of the Act set out in this Schedule is the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Act, 2025.

SCHEDULE 4
CORONERS ACT

1 Clause 7 (1) (c) of the Coroners Act is repealed and the following substituted:

   (c)  facilitate the postgraduate training of pathologists to enable them to provide forensic pathology services under this Act;

(c.1) conduct continuing education programs for pathologists who provide services under this Act;

2 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Prohibition on photographs, recordings, dissemination

50.2  (1)  No person shall,

  (a)  take or attempt to take a photograph, audio or video recording or other record capable of producing or transmitting visual or aural representations by electronic means or otherwise,

           (i)  at an inquest,

          (ii)  of any person entering or leaving the room in which an inquest is to be or has been conducted, or

         (iii)  of any person in the building in which an inquest is to be or has been conducted if there is reasonable ground for believing that the person is there for the purpose of attending or leaving the inquest, other than in an area of the building designated by the coroner presiding at the inquest for the purpose and with the person’s consent;

  (b)  publish, broadcast, reproduce or otherwise disseminate a photograph, recording or record taken in contravention of clause (a); or

   (c)  broadcast, reproduce or otherwise disseminate an audio recording described in clause (2) (b).

Non-application

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to,

  (a)  the unobtrusive making of notes or sketches of events at an inquest by a person;

  (b)  the making of an audio recording at an inquest, unobtrusively and in a manner authorized by the coroner presiding at the inquest, by a person with standing at the inquest, a representative of a person with standing at the inquest or a journalist, for the sole purpose of supplementing or replacing notes; or

   (c)  subject to the authorization of the coroner presiding at the inquest, any act referred to in subsection (1),

           (i)  if it is required for the presentation of evidence, the making of a record or any other purpose of the inquest,

          (ii)  with the consent of the persons with standing at the inquest and witnesses, or

         (iii)  in connection with any ceremonial proceeding.

Offence and penalty

(3)  Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.

Commencement

3 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 5
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT

1 The Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following section:

Suspension on conviction for dangerous operation causing death

41.0.3  (1)  The driver’s licence of a person who is convicted of an offence under subsection 320.13 (3) of the Criminal Code (Canada) committed while driving or having the care, charge or control of a motor vehicle, street car or a motorized snow vehicle, is thereupon suspended indefinitely, subject to early reinstatement under section 57.

Same

(2)  Subsections 41 (5) and (8) apply to this section with necessary modifications.

2 Subsection 41.4 (21) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “48.4”.

3 Subsection 43 (1) of the Act, as amended by section 9 of the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024, is amended by striking out “under subsection 41 (1), 41.0.1 (1) or 42 (1)” and substituting “under subsection 41 (1), 41.0.1 (1), 41.0.3 (1) or 42 (1)”.

4 Subsection 48.4 (21) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “41.4”.

5 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Police to require surrender of licence, detention of vehicle

48.5  (1)  If a police officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a person is driving, or has driven, a motor vehicle on a highway in contravention of section 320.13 of the Criminal Code (Canada), the officer shall,

  (a)  request that the person surrender their driver’s licence; and

  (b)  detain the motor vehicle that was being driven by the person until it is impounded under clause (3) (b).

Administrative 90-day licence suspension

(2)  Upon a request being made under clause (1) (a), the person to whom the request is made shall forthwith surrender their driver’s licence to the police officer and, whether or not the person is unable or fails to surrender the licence to the police officer, the driver’s licence is suspended for a period of 90 days from the day the request is made.

Administrative seven-day vehicle impoundment

(3)  Upon a motor vehicle being detained under clause (1) (b), the motor vehicle shall, at the cost of and risk to its owner,

  (a)  be removed to an impound facility as directed by a police officer; and

  (b)  be impounded for seven days from the day it was detained under clause (1) (b).

Release of vehicle

(4)  Subject to subsection (6), the motor vehicle shall be released to its owner from the impound facility upon the expiry of the period of impoundment.

Early release of vehicle

(5)  Despite the detention or impoundment of a motor vehicle under this section, a police officer may release the motor vehicle to its owner before it is impounded under subsection (3) or, subject to subsection (6), may direct the operator of the impound facility where the motor vehicle is impounded to release the motor vehicle to its owner before the expiry of the seven days if the officer is satisfied that the motor vehicle was stolen at the time that it was driven on a highway in contravention of subsection (1).

Costs to be paid before release of vehicle

(6)  The person who operates the impound facility where a motor vehicle is impounded under subsection (3) is not required to release the motor vehicle until the removal and impound costs for the vehicle have been paid.

Lien for storage costs

(7)  The costs incurred by the person who operates the impound facility where a motor vehicle is impounded under this section are a lien on the motor vehicle that may be enforced under the Repair and Storage Liens Act.

Duty of officer re licence suspension

(8)  Every police officer who asks for the surrender of a person’s driver’s licence under this section shall keep a record of the licence received with the name and address of the person and the date and time of the suspension and shall, as soon as practicable after receiving the licence, provide the person with a notice of suspension showing the time from which the suspension takes effect and the period of time for which the licence is suspended.

Duty of officer re impoundment

(9)  Every police officer who detains a motor vehicle under this section shall prepare a notice identifying the motor vehicle that is to be impounded under subsection (3), the name and address of the driver and the date and time of the impoundment and shall, as soon as practicable after the impoundment of the motor vehicle, provide the driver with a copy of the notice showing the time from which the impoundment takes effect, the period of time for which the motor vehicle is impounded and the place where the vehicle may be recovered.

Same

(10)  A police officer shall provide a copy of the notice prepared under subsection (9) to the owner of the motor vehicle by delivering it personally or by mail to the address of the owner shown on the permit for the motor vehicle or to the latest address for the owner appearing on the records of the Ministry.

No appeal or hearing

(11)  There is no appeal from, or right to be heard before, a vehicle detention or vehicle impoundment under subsection (1) or (3), but this subsection does not affect the taking of any proceeding in court.

No right to be heard

(12)  There is no right to be heard before a driver’s licence suspension under subsection (2), but this subsection does not affect the taking of any proceeding in court.

Owner may recover losses from driver

(13)  The owner of a motor vehicle that is impounded under this section may bring an action against the driver of the motor vehicle at the time the vehicle was detained under clause (1) (b) to recover any costs or other losses incurred by the owner in connection with the impoundment.

Offence

(14)  Every person who obstructs or interferes with a police officer in the performance of the officer’s duties under this section is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.

Intent of suspension and impoundment

(15)  The suspension of a driver’s licence and the impoundment of a motor vehicle under this section are intended to promote compliance with this Act and to thereby safeguard the public and do not constitute an alternative to any proceeding or penalty arising from the same circumstances or around the same time.

Impoundment concurrent with other administrative impoundments

(16)  The impoundment of a motor vehicle under this section runs concurrently with an impoundment, if any, of the same motor vehicle under section 41.4, 48.4, 55.1, 55.2, 82.1 or 172.

Regulations

(17)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

  (a)  requiring police officers to keep records with respect to licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments under this section for a specified period of time and to report specified information with respect to licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments to the Registrar and governing such records and reports;

  (b)  exempting any class of persons or class or type of vehicles from any provision or requirement of this section and prescribing conditions and circumstances for any such exemptions.

Definitions

(18)  In this section,

“driver’s licence” includes a driver’s licence issued by another jurisdiction; (“permis de conduire”)

“motor vehicle” includes a street car and a motorized snow vehicle. (“véhicule automobile”)

6 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Appeal of 90-day suspension

50.1.1  (1)  A person whose driver’s licence is suspended under section 48.5 may appeal the suspension to the Tribunal if the appeal is commenced while the suspension is in effect.

Grounds for appeal

(2)  The only grounds on which a person may appeal a suspension under section 48.5 and the only grounds on which the Tribunal may order that the suspension be set aside are,

  (a)  that the person whose licence was suspended is not the same individual to whom a police officer made a request to surrender their driver’s licence under clause 48.5 (1) (a); or

  (b)  that throughout the circumstances that resulted in the police officer making a request for the person to surrender their driver’s licence under clause 48.5 (1) (a), the person was unable to drive the motor vehicle safely because of a medical occurrence the onset of which was sudden and unforeseeable.

Supporting material

(3)  A person who appeals to the Tribunal under subsection (1) shall file written material in support of the appeal, and the Tribunal shall not hold a hearing until all the supporting material is filed.

Powers of Board

(4)  The Tribunal may confirm the suspension or may order that the suspension be set aside.

Licence reinstated

(5)  If the Tribunal orders that the suspension be set aside, it shall give written notice of the order to the appellant and the Registrar and, upon receipt of such notice, the Registrar shall reinstate the appellant’s driver’s licence, subject to any other suspension under this Act.

Decision final

(6)  The decision of the Tribunal under this section is final and binding.

Suspension not stayed

(7)  The suspension under section 48.5 continues to apply despite the filing of an appeal under this section unless the Registrar reinstates the licence pursuant to the Tribunal’s order that the suspension be set aside, and this subsection prevails over the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.

When oral hearing required

(8)  The Tribunal is not required to hold an oral hearing under this section unless the appellant requests an oral hearing at the time of filing the appeal and bases the appeal on one of the grounds set out in subsection (2).

Exception

(9)  Despite a request by the appellant for an oral hearing, the Tribunal may order that the suspension be set aside on the basis of the material filed with the Tribunal without holding an oral hearing.

7 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Appeal of a vehicle impoundment for driving while suspended under s. 55.2

50.4  (1)  The owner of a motor vehicle that is impounded under section 55.2 for a period of 30 days or more may, upon paying the fee established by the Tribunal, appeal the impoundment to the Tribunal.

Parties

(2)  The owner and the Registrar are the parties to an appeal under this section.

Grounds for appeal

(3)  The only grounds on which an owner may appeal under subsection (1) and the only grounds on which the Tribunal may order the Registrar to release the motor vehicle are,

  (a)  that the motor vehicle that is impounded was stolen at the time it was detained in order to be impounded;

  (b)  that the driver’s licence of the driver of the motor vehicle at the time it was detained in order to be impounded was not then under suspension;

   (c)  that the owner of the motor vehicle exercised due diligence in attempting to determine that the driver’s licence of the driver of the motor vehicle at the time it was detained in order to be impounded was not then under suspension; or

  (d)  that the impoundment will result in exceptional hardship.

Exception

(4)  Clause (3) (d) does not apply if there was a previous impoundment under section 55.2 with respect to any motor vehicle then owned by the same owner.

Powers of Tribunal

(5)  The Tribunal may confirm the impoundment or order the Registrar to release the motor vehicle.

Notice of decision

(6)  The Tribunal shall give written notice of its decision to the owner and the Registrar.

Registrar’s actions if Tribunal orders release of vehicle

(7)  If the Tribunal orders the Registrar to release the motor vehicle, the Registrar shall, upon receipt of the notice,

  (a)  issue an order to release the vehicle; and

  (b)  if the grounds for ordering the release of the vehicle are those set out in clause (3) (b),

           (i)  pay on behalf of the owner the amount incurred by the owner, as a result of the impoundment, for removing and impounding the vehicle, not including any amount for economic losses, and

          (ii)  pay the operator or the owner the amount incurred by the operator or owner, as a result of the impoundment, for removing the load or drawn vehicle from the motor vehicle, not including any amount for economic losses.

Decision final

(8)  The decision of the Tribunal under this section is final and binding.

Impoundment not stayed

(9)  Despite the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, the filing of an appeal under this section does not suspend or terminate the impoundment under section 55.2.

Civil Remedies Act, 2001 prevails

(10)  Subsection (7) does not apply if the vehicle is subject to an order under Part III.1 of the Civil Remedies Act, 2001.

Definitions

(11)  In this section,

“owner” means each person whose name appears on the permit for the vehicle and includes a holder of a permit as defined in subsection 6 (1).

8 Clause 52 (1) (a) of the Act is amended by striking out “section 41 or 42” and substituting “section 41, 41.0.1, 41.0.2, 41.0.3 or 42”.

9 (1)  Clauses 53 (1) (a) and (b) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

  (a)  for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000;

  (b)  for a first subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $15,000; and

   (c)  for a second subsequent or an additional subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $20,000,

.     .     .     .     .

(2)  Subsection 53 (1.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “section 41 or 42” and substituting “section 41, 41.0.1, 41.0.2, 41.0.3 or 42”.

10 (1)  Paragraph 1 of subsection 55.1 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

    1.  While the person’s driver’s licence is under suspension under section 41, 41.0.1, 41.0.2, 41.0.3, 42 or 43, even if it is under suspension at the same time for any other reason.

(2)  Subsection 55.1 (37) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “48.4”.

11 (1)  Subsection 55.2 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Short-term vehicle impoundment for driving while suspended

(1)  Where a police officer is satisfied that a person was driving a motor vehicle on a highway while the person’s driver’s licence is under suspension (other than under section 32, 41, 41.0.1, 41.0.2, 41.0.3, 42, 43, 46 or 47 or for a reason prescribed under clause 55.1 (38) (f.1)), the officer shall detain the motor vehicle that was being driven by the person and the vehicle shall, at the cost and risk of its owner,

  (a)  be removed to an impound facility as directed by a police officer; and

  (b)  be impounded from the time it was detained for the period described in subsection (1.1) or until it is ordered to be released by the Registrar under subsection (3) or under section 50.4.

Impoundment period

(1.1)  A motor vehicle detained under subsection (1) shall be impounded as follows:

    1.  For 14 days, if there has not been any previous impoundment under this section, within a prescribed period, with respect to any motor vehicle then owned by the owner of the vehicle currently being impounded.

    2.  For 30 days, if there has been one previous impoundment under this section, within a prescribed period, with respect to any motor vehicle then owned by the owner of the vehicle currently being impounded.

    3.  For 45 days, if there have been two or more previous impoundments under this section, within a prescribed period, with respect to any motor vehicle then owned by the owner of the vehicle currently being impounded.

(2)  Subsection 55.2 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “the seven days” and substituting “the period of impoundment”.

(3)  Section 55.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Notice by Registrar

(6.1)  The Registrar may provide notice of the impoundment to the owner of the motor vehicle by mailing it to them at the latest address for them appearing on the records of the Ministry.

(4)  Subsection 55.2 (13) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

No right to be heard

(13)  There is no right to be heard before a vehicle detention or impoundment under subsection (1).

(5)  Subsection 55.2 (21) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “48.4”.

(6)  Subsection 55.2 (23) of the Act is amended by adding the following clauses:

(a.1) prescribing the period for the purpose of subsection (1.1);

.     .     .     .     .

  (e)  prescribing the time within which an appeal may be brought under section 50.4 with respect to an impoundment under this section, and governing any other time requirements in the appeal process;

   (f)  prescribing criteria to be considered, and criteria not to be considered, by the Tribunal in determining in an appeal under section 50.4 whether exceptional hardship will result from an impoundment under this section.

12 Subsection 57 (4.2) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

    5.  Where the licence is suspended under subsection 41.0.3 (1) and the suspension has been in effect for at least 25 years before the reinstatement takes effect.

13 Subsection 68.1 (8) of the Act is amended by striking out “$250” and substituting “$1,000”.

14 (1)  Clause 78 (2) (b) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

  (b)  a hand-held wireless communication device or other device prescribed for the purpose of subsection 78.1 (1) that is being used in compliance with section 78.1;

(2)  Section 78 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(5.1)  Despite subsection (5), every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and, if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle, on conviction is liable,

  (a)  for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,000;

  (b)  for a first subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $4,000; and

   (c)  for a second subsequent or an additional subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $6,000.

(3)  Section 78 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(6.1)  Despite subsection (6), if a person is convicted of an offence committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle under this section, the Registrar shall suspend the person’s driver’s licence,

  (a)  for a first offence, for seven days;

  (b)  for a first subsequent offence, for 14 days; and

   (c)  for a second subsequent or an additional subsequent offence, for 60 days.

(4)  Subsection 78 (7) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsection (5) or (6)” and substituting “subsection (5), (5.1), (6) or (6.1)”.

15 (1)  Subsection 78.1 (3) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Hands-free mode allowed

(3)  Despite subsections (1) and (2), a person may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while using a device described in those subsections in hands-free mode if the device does not have a display screen on which is displayed,

  (a)  entertainment; or

  (b)  text or images other than those permitted under clause 78 (2) (a), (c), (d) or (e) or the regulations.

(2)  Section 78.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(6.1.1)  Despite subsection (6.1), every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and, if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle, on conviction is liable,

  (a)  for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,000;

  (b)  for a first subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $4,000; and

   (c)  for a second subsequent or an additional subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $6,000.

(3)  Section 78.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(6.2.1)  Despite subsection (6.2), if a person is convicted of an offence committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle under this section, the Registrar shall suspend the person’s driver’s licence,

  (a)  for a first offence, for seven days;

  (b)  for a first subsequent offence, for 14 days; and

   (c)  for a second subsequent or an additional subsequent offence, for 60 days.

(4)  Subsection 78.1 (6.3) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsection (6.1) or (6.2)” and substituting “subsection (6.1), (6.1.1), (6.2) or (6.2.1)”.

16 Subsection 82.1 (36.2) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “48.4”.

17 (1)  Subsection 130 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “$400 and not more than $2,000” and substituting “$1,000 and not more than $5,000”.

(2)  Subsection 130 (8) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Police to require surrender of licence

(8)  If a police officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a person is driving, or has driven, a vehicle on a highway in contravention of subsection (1) or (3), the officer shall request that the person surrender their driver’s licence.

Administrative seven-day licence suspension

(9)  Upon a request being made under subsection (8) in respect of a contravention of subsection (1), the person to whom the request is made shall forthwith surrender their driver’s licence to the police officer and, whether or not the person is unable or fails to surrender the licence to the police officer, the driver’s licence is suspended for a period of seven days from the day the request is made.

Administrative 30-day licence suspension

(10)  Upon a request being made under subsection (8) in respect of a contravention of subsection (3), the person to whom the request is made shall forthwith surrender their driver’s licence to the police officer and, whether or not the person is unable or fails to surrender the licence to the police officer, the driver’s licence is suspended for a period of 30 days from the day the request is made.

Duty of officer re licence suspension

(11)  Every police officer who asks for the surrender of a person’s driver’s licence under this section shall keep a record of the licence received with the name and address of the person and the date and time of the suspension and shall, as soon as practicable after receiving the licence, provide the person with a notice of suspension showing the time from which the suspension takes effect and the period of time for which the licence is suspended.

No appeal or hearing

(12)  There is no appeal from, or right to be heard before, a driver’s licence suspension under subsection (9) or (10), but this subsection does not affect the taking of any proceeding in court.

Offence

(13)  Every person who obstructs or interferes with a police officer in the performance of the officer’s duties under this section is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.

Intent of suspension

(14)  The suspension of a driver’s licence under this section is intended to promote compliance with this Act and to thereby safeguard the public and does not constitute an alternative to any proceeding or penalty arising from the same circumstances or around the same time.

Regulations

(15)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

  (a)  requiring police officers to keep records with respect to licence suspensions under this section for a specified period of time and to report specified information with respect to licence suspensions to the Registrar and governing such records and reports;

  (b)  exempting any class of persons from any provision or requirement of this section and prescribing conditions or circumstances for any such exemptions.

Definitions

(16)  In this section,

“driver” means a person driving or having care, charge or control of a vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is on a highway or in a specified place, and “drive” has a corresponding meaning; (“conducteur”)

“driver’s licence” includes a driver’s licence issued by another jurisdiction; (“permis de conduire”)

“specified place” means,

  (a)  any parking lot, structure or garage, whether public or private, paved or unpaved, flat or multilevel, above or below grade, including any driveway or road that connects the parking lot to a highway,

  (b)  any parking lot into which drivers are expressly or impliedly invited or permitted to enter, with or without payment, and no matter whether payment was made or whether the driver entered with or without permission; and

   (c)  any private, commercial or industrial parking lot from which the public would ordinarily be excluded. (“endroit précisé”)

18 Subsection 172 (22) of the Act is amended by adding “48.5” after “48.4”.

Commencement

19 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 6
POLICE RECORD CHECKS REFORM ACT, 2015

1 Paragraph 8 of subsection 2 (2) of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 is repealed.

2 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Service standards

14.1  (1)  A police record check provider shall comply with any prescribed service standards with respect to conducting police record checks.

Extinguishment of causes of action

(2)  No cause of action arises against the Crown or any other person as a direct or indirect result of any purported failure to comply with a prescribed service standard.

No remedy

(3)  No costs, compensation or damages, including for loss of revenues or loss of profit or any other alleged loss, whether direct or indirect, are owing or payable to any person and no remedy, including but not limited to a remedy in contract, restitution, tort, misfeasance, bad faith, trust or fiduciary obligation, any equitable remedy or any remedy under any statute, is available to any person in connection with anything referred to in subsection (2) against any person referred to in that subsection.

Proceedings barred

(4)  No proceeding that is directly or indirectly based on or related to anything referred to in subsection (2) may be brought or maintained against any person referred to in that subsection.

Application

(5)  Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply with respect to an application for judicial review, a claim for a constitutional remedy or a proceeding under this Act or the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 but do apply with respect to any other court, administrative or arbitral proceeding, claiming any remedy or relief, including specific performance, injunction, declaratory relief or the enforcement of a judgment, order or award made outside Ontario.

No costs awarded

(6)  No costs shall be awarded against any person in respect of a proceeding that cannot be brought or maintained under subsection (4).

Proceedings by Crown not prevented

(7)  Subsections (2) to (6) do not apply with respect to proceedings brought by the Crown.

3 Subsection 22 (2) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

  (e)  for the purposes of section 14.1,

           (i)  establishing and governing service standards, including regulations specifying timeframes within which a police record check provider is required to conduct a police record check, and

          (ii)  requiring that a police record check provider report on such matters respecting compliance with the service standards by the police record check provider as the regulations specify and governing the reporting requirements, including requiring and governing the publication of the reports.

4 Item 1 of the Table entitled “Authorized Disclosure” in subsection 1 (2) of the Schedule to the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

 

1.

Every criminal offence of which the individual has been convicted for which a pardon has not been issued or granted.

Disclose. However, do not disclose convictions for an offence that may be prosecuted only by way of summary conviction proceedings if the request is made more than five years after the date of the conviction.

Disclose. However, do not disclose convictions for an offence that may be prosecuted only by way of summary conviction proceedings if the request is made more than five years after the date of the conviction.

Disclose. However, do not disclose convictions for an offence that may be prosecuted only by way of summary conviction proceedings if the request is made more than five years after the date of the conviction.

Commencement

5 This Schedule comes into force on the later of January 1, 2026 and the day the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 7
PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES ACT, 2019

1 Section 17 of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 is repealed and the following substituted:

Harming service animal

17 (1)  No person shall cause harm, or attempt to cause harm, to a service animal, whether or not the animal is working at the time of the harm.

Harming law enforcement animal

(2)  No person shall cause harm, or attempt to cause harm, to an animal that works with peace officers in the execution of their duties, whether or not the animal is working at the time of the harm.

2 The French version of subsection 35 (6.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “lui fournisse” and substituting “fournisse au ministère”.

3 (1)  Paragraph 4 of subsection 49 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

    4.  Subsection 17 (1) (Harming service animal).

(2)  Paragraph 4 of subsection 49 (7) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

    4.  Contravening subsection 17 (1) (Harming service animal).

(3)  Section 49 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Major offence, penalties for harming law enforcement animal

(7.0.1)  Every person who contravenes subsection 17 (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable,

  (a)  in the case of an individual, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $260,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both; and

  (b)  in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $1,000,000.

(4)  Subsection 49 (9) of the Act is amended by striking out “or (ix) or subsection (2)” and substituting “or (ix) or in subsection (2) or (7.0.1)”.

(5)  Subsection 49 (10) of the Act is amended by striking out “or (ix) or subsection (2)” and substituting “or (ix) or in subsection (2) or (7.0.1)”.

(6)  Subsection 49 (11) of the Act is amended by striking out “or (ix) or subsection (2)” and substituting “or (ix) or in subsection (2) or (7.0.1)”.

4 The French version of subsection 53 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “lui fournisse” and substituting “fournisse au ministère”.

Commencement

5 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 receives Royal Assent.