Ontario Introducing Legislation to Support Victims of Crime and Enhance Community Safety
Toronto – Today, the Ontario government introduced proposed legislation, that, if passed, would make it easier for more victims of crime to sue an offender for emotional distress. Bill 157, Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023, would also protect children and youth from cannabis, enhance community safety and make court and government operations more efficient.
“The Enhancing Access to Justice Act is another step our government is taking to build safer communities, support victims of crime, hold offenders accountable, and protect children and youth across Ontario and in Niagara,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This proposed legislation builds on recent community safety initiatives by the province, including the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program and Response Team Enhancement Grant Program.”
The Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program supports new and enhanced crime-flighting measures that focus on prevention, detection, analysis, and enforcement, while the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant Program supports local police services in utilizing trained crisis workers when responding to those in need. The Niagara Regional Police Service is a recipient of funding through both programs.
“We are putting victims of crime first, protecting children and keeping our communities safe,” said Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General.
“Through proposed changes to the Victims’ Bill of Rights and the Cannabis Control Act, our government is increasing access to justice for victims of crime, holding offenders accountable, and protecting children and youth.”
The proposed legislation, if passed, together with supporting regulatory changes, will:
- Update the Victims’ Bill of Rights, 1995, to make it easier for victims of crime (such as victims of terrorism, vehicle theft, human trafficking related crime and hate related crimes targeting places of worship) to sue an offender for emotional distress and related bodily harm,
- Protect children and youth by banning the growth of recreational cannabis in homes that offer childcare services,
- Amend the Coroners Act to allow for faster and more meaningful and relevant recommendations for construction-related death investigations.
“We are taking steps to bring justice and closure to family members of construction workers who have lost their lives on the job,” said Hon. Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.
“We are also updating the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to give fire departments the tools they need to protect communities by strengthening compliance with Ontario’s rigorous fire regulations.”
If passed, Bill 157, Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023, would also update the Courts of Justice Act and other statutes, including by limiting delays in a child protection trial when a judge is appointed to another court, to ensure that court operations are more readily accessible to Ontarians.