The Ontario government will introduce new legislation that requires accused persons or their sureties to provide a full cash security deposit before being released on bail.
The province says this overhaul aims to keep violent, repeat offenders behind bars and ensure bail carries meaningful consequences for those facing serious charges.
Under the current system, individuals can be released on a “promise to pay,” meaning no money is posted unless bail is later forfeited. The province argues this has made enforcement difficult, requiring time-consuming recovery efforts when conditions are breached. Under the proposed reforms, the cash amount must be posted upfront and is only returned if conditions are met.
The province says the initiative will be supported by improved enforcement mechanisms, including wage garnishment, property liens and asset seizure in cases of bail non-compliance. A new surety database would enable police and prosecutors to track individuals overseeing accused persons, ensuring consistent oversight across jurisdictions.
Also included in the bail strategy is the expansion of Ontario’s specialized bail prosecution teams, which work with local police to build stronger arguments to keep offenders in custody. The government says more than four thousand violent bail cases have already been managed by these teams since 2023.
Officials say the reforms are part of a broader effort to strengthen community safety and modernize bail tracking and enforcement. Investments are also being made to expand correctional capacity so violent offenders are never released due to overcrowding.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)