Act
Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025 - Introduction of new, proposed Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025
Summary of Proposal:
If passed, the new legislation would:
• Prohibit a landlord from knowingly permitting their premises to be used to commit offences related to the production of trafficking of a controlled substance or precursor, or of cannabis. The definition of landlord in the Act can be clarified and narrowed by regulation. The specific offences to which the prohibition applies are to be prescribed by regulation (referred to in this summary as prescribed drug offences).
• Prohibit knowingly possessing the proceeds of an offence under the Act.
• Provide police powers to seize items that are evidence of, or proceeds of, an offence under this Act.
• Provide police powers to order people to vacate a premise if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the prescribed drug offences are occurring there. This power would not apply to people living on the premises.
• Provide police powers to order premises to close if a person is charged with one of the prescribed drug offence and the police have reasonable grounds to believe that the premises were used in the commission of the offence. This power would not apply to residences.
• Allow police services, or an entity prescribed by the regulations, to recover prescribed costs of enforcing this Act or enforcing prescribed drug offences.
• Create offences with penalties for individuals and corporations.
• Under this proposed new Act, a landlord would mean a person who leases property to a tenant for residential or commercial use, or who sublets a rented property to another tenant.
Additionally, as set out in the Act, a landlord will not be found guilty of offences under the Act if they take reasonable measures to prevent the activity. Depending on the context of the situation, reasonable measures can include actions such as informing the police and/or commencing an eviction process. What is reasonable in a specific scenario will depend on the facts.
The government will provide clear guidance and communication to landlords about what measures landlords should take to prevent, report or respond to illegal drug activity.
• Prohibit a landlord from knowingly permitting their premises to be used to commit offences related to the production of trafficking of a controlled substance or precursor, or of cannabis. The definition of landlord in the Act can be clarified and narrowed by regulation. The specific offences to which the prohibition applies are to be prescribed by regulation (referred to in this summary as prescribed drug offences).
• Prohibit knowingly possessing the proceeds of an offence under the Act.
• Provide police powers to seize items that are evidence of, or proceeds of, an offence under this Act.
• Provide police powers to order people to vacate a premise if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the prescribed drug offences are occurring there. This power would not apply to people living on the premises.
• Provide police powers to order premises to close if a person is charged with one of the prescribed drug offence and the police have reasonable grounds to believe that the premises were used in the commission of the offence. This power would not apply to residences.
• Allow police services, or an entity prescribed by the regulations, to recover prescribed costs of enforcing this Act or enforcing prescribed drug offences.
• Create offences with penalties for individuals and corporations.
• Under this proposed new Act, a landlord would mean a person who leases property to a tenant for residential or commercial use, or who sublets a rented property to another tenant.
Additionally, as set out in the Act, a landlord will not be found guilty of offences under the Act if they take reasonable measures to prevent the activity. Depending on the context of the situation, reasonable measures can include actions such as informing the police and/or commencing an eviction process. What is reasonable in a specific scenario will depend on the facts.
The government will provide clear guidance and communication to landlords about what measures landlords should take to prevent, report or respond to illegal drug activity.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
N/A
Further Information:
Bill 10, Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act
Proposal Number:
25-SOLGEN007
Posting Date:
May 6, 2025
Comments Due Date:
June 5, 2025
Contact Address:
Ministry of the Solicitor General
Strategic Policy Division
25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6
Strategic Policy Division
25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6