Ontario Introduces Legislation to Protect Communities and Keep Streets Safe

Press Release

May 25, 2026

New measures would crack down on illegal activity, protect victims of crime and strengthen public safety

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced legislation that would, if passed, strengthen public safety, support victims of crime and give law enforcement stronger tools to keep communities safe. The Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 includes bold new measures to support victims of human trafficking, crack down on illegal drugs, strengthen oversight of the towing industry and make it easier to enforce restraining orders.

“Our government remains laser-focused on protecting Ontario’s streets and keeping communities safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This legislation builds on the decisive action we’ve already taken to strengthen public safety by giving law enforcement stronger tools to crack down on illegal activity, protect victims and vulnerable people, and hold offenders accountable.”

The Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 includes initiatives that would:

Increase public awareness and protect communities by amending the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 to authorize the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner to publish information on a provincial public website about high-risk offenders, including high-risk sex offenders, when a chief of police issues a community notification. If passed, the new website is expected to be online by April 2027.
Help survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives by providing up to $50,000 in debt relief for victims who were forced or coerced into debt by their traffickers.
Protect transit users and frontline transit workers by giving special constables on designated transit systems the authority to stop individuals from using illegal drugs on transit and issue tickets or make arrests if individuals refuse to comply.
Crack down on illegal drug production by prohibiting the possession, use or sale of designated devices such as pill presses for the purpose of making illicit drugs, and prohibiting the possession, production or trafficking of precursor chemicals to make illegal drugs.
Set clearer rules of conduct for tow truck drivers at collision scenes and strengthen qualification standards for tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators.
Protect victims by allowing restraining orders issued in other provinces and territories to be enforced in Ontario without requiring an additional court declaration to make them enforceable.
Amend the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 to strengthen public safety by modernizing training, oversight and licensing requirements.
Amend the Provincial Offences Act to resolve cases faster by allowing prosecutors and defendants to enter plea agreements without judicial oversight.
Reduce wait times for police record checks for people working or volunteering with vulnerable populations such as children, seniors and people with disabilities, while maintaining strong safeguards. If passed, implementation of these changes would involve coordination with federal partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada, to give designated police services access to federal databases.
Add more canine teams to increase contraband searches in adult correctional institutions; and
Restrict the use and future purchases of Chinese-made drones for government use, helping protect sensitive provincial information.

Ontario is also strengthening enforcement of the Blind Persons’ Rights Act to give police officers the authority to issue tickets when services are denied to a person accompanied by a guide dog. In addition, a new regulation under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 will prohibit certain medically unnecessary procedures such as cat declawing, as well as ear cropping and devocalization for dogs, unless the procedure is deemed required by a veterinarian to treat an injury or disease.

Quick Facts

Proposed measures also include amendments to the Planning Act that would allow municipalities to impose administrative monetary penalties (fines) for illegal land uses, including illegal truck yards that are frequently established on rural, agricultural or residential properties.
Proposed measures would also strengthen protections for children in the private and international adoption system by enhancing oversight, introducing new compliance and enforcement tools, and keeping bad actors from entering the system.
The government is also renewing the Pathways to Safety Strategy for five years (2026-2031) to continue working with Indigenous partners to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, children and gender-diverse people, while supporting their safety and wellbeing.
The Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 builds on the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024, the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025 and the Protecting Ontario By Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025.

Quotes

“People across Ontario deserve to feel safe in their communities. Building on the historic measures we have already taken to strengthen public safety, expand court capacity, and crack down on dangerous offenders, our government is taking further decisive action to streamline court processes, improve enforcement, and ensure offenders are held accountable. These proposed reforms will help cases move more efficiently through the justice system, better protect vulnerable people, and strengthen communities across Ontario.”
– Doug Downey
Attorney General

“Our government is taking proactive steps to support women, children, and families across Ontario, including renewing the Pathways to Safety Strategy, enhancing safety in secure youth justice facilities, and strengthening private and international adoptions. We remain committed to ensuring Ontarians have the services they need to succeed and thrive in their communities.”
– Michael Parsa
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

“Our government is protecting Ontario by enhancing safety on public transit while improving consumer protections for drivers who need a tow. The Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act demonstrates our commitment to keeping Ontarians safe no matter how they travel.”

– Prabmeet Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation

Additional Resources

Backgrounder: Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026