The Ontario Provincial Police Association, Toronto Police Association, and Police Association of Ontario are calling for stricter federal bail policies. This comes after nearly 100 shots were fired outside a recording studio in Toronto’s west end on November 11th while plainclothes officers were conducting a bail compliance check. Sixteen guns were seized and 23 people were arrested, including a young offender with three firearms prohibitions.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen serious incidents related to our bail system that have put the lives of police service members and our communities in danger,” said Mark Baxter, President of the Police Association of Ontario. “This incident in Toronto could have had a very different result. Luckily, it didn’t. But it should serve as a call to action for the federal government to fix our bail system so repeat and violent offenders can’t continue to harm our communities while out on bail. Stricter bail policies for repeat and violent offenders prioritize the safety and security of our communities.”
In a statement, the associations asked the federal government to “take some leadership in the safety of our members and the communities they serve.”
The statement goes on to say that there are several examples in Ontario of accused persons out on bail who are re-arrested shortly after being granted bail, including for allegedly murdering a police officer. In February 2024, in Elliot Lake, a man with a history of assaults and breaching bail conditions was re-arrested for once again violating bail conditions a short time after getting out of jail. In an August 2024 case in Sarnia, a man was re-arrested with auto theft charges and fleeing police a mere two days after being released for similar offences.
The 3 associations – representing 35,000 police members in Ontario – are asking that repeat and violent offenders are kept in jail while they await trial. The statement added that “…effective bail reform must strike a balance between public safety and the rights of the accused. The public expects that in the name of public safety, violent and repeat offenders will not be released on bail unless there is a compelling reason and a sensible plan to ensure that they are not at risk of reoffending while awaiting trial.”
“We call on the federal government to take immediate, decisive action to bolster community safety by reforming bail laws to prevent repeat violent offenders from returning to our streets, enforcing stringent penalties for violations of court orders, and redirecting resources from ineffective gun bans to address the smuggling of illegal firearms. These actions are critical to restoring public trust in our justice system and safeguarding our communities,” said John Cerasuolo, OPP Association President & CEO.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media to voice his support.
“The recent gunfight in Toronto is a huge wake-up call for the federal government,” the premier wrote in a statement on X. “We need stricter bail laws that keep repeat and violent criminals off our streets. Ontario will always stand with our police officers and support them in any way we can to keep our communities safe.”
In October, Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner released a public letter calling on the federal government to make several bail-related changes to the Criminal Code, including eliminating bail for certain offences and implementing a “three strike rule” for repeat offenders. The letter was part of an ongoing campaign by Canada’s premiers urging Ottawa to legislate stricter bail measures in the wake of several high-profile crimes allegedly committed by offenders out on bail, including the fatal shooting of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala in 2022.
“Our members are increasingly frustrated and angered as they continue risking their lives to apprehend repeat violent offenders,” said TPA President Clayton Campbell. How many more incidents must occur before the federal government recognizes and responds to the urgent reality on our streets?”
