Ontario Making Criminal Justice System Faster and Fairer in Southwestern Ontario

Ministry of of the Attorney General

Ontario Making Criminal Justice System Faster and Fairer in Southwestern Ontario

Province Expanding Bail Programs and Hiring More Prosecutors and Court Staff

London, ON – Jan 19, 2017

Ontario is moving forward with its plan to make the criminal justice system faster and fairer by implementing key programs to help reduce time-to-trial and improve the bail system in southwestern Ontario.

The plan, which was launched Dec. 1, 2016, will enhance public safety by making it possible to resolve criminal cases faster and by making more supports and supervision available to vulnerable, low-risk individuals who come in contact with the law.

In southwestern Ontario:
To facilitate faster bail decisions and safe resolutions, the London and Kitchener courthouses will each be assigned one new dedicated bail vettor Crown attorney.
To help expedite the bail process and ensure meaningful decisions are made, the London and Kitchener courthouses will also each be assigned one new duty counsel bail coordinator.
The Bail Verification Supervision Programs will be expanding to Chatham, Goderich, St. Thomas, Stratford and Woodstock and include a new program in Sarnia that will increase supervision and support to low-risk individuals before their trial.
The existing Bail Verification Supervision Program in London will be enhanced to include increased eligibility for services, mental health programs and the addition of a new Indigenous bail support service.
The Weekend and Statutory Holidays court in London will expand to ensure cases are being heard as soon as possible.

In addition to these changes, Ontario is appointing new judges and adding Crown attorneys, duty counsel and court staff to court locations across the province.

Improving Ontario’s criminal justice system is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, keep communities safe and help people in their everyday lives.

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