Act
Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025 - Amendments to the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Bill 10, Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025
Summary of Proposal:
The CSPA was brought into force on April 1, 2024. This package of proposed legislative amendments are necessary to address operational matters and provide greater clarity to the Act.
At this time, SOLGEN is requesting public and stakeholder input on the following proposed legislative amendments:
• Clarifying that all special constables who are not members of a police service must be employed by a special constable employer.
• Enabling regulations to permit groups of special constables to carry and use firearms.
• Allowing chiefs of police to request temporary assistance, in circumstances prescribed by the LGIC, from entities outside of Ontario that are prescribed by the Minister. The assistance may be subject to restrictions prescribed by the LGIC.
• Enabling the Solicitor General to request that the Inspector General consider interim measures (e.g., such as temporary suspension of a board member alleged to have engaged in misconduct) when bringing forward complaints and empowering the Inspector General to take such measures.
• Clarifying that Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Boards must participate in the OPP Commissioner's selection of permanent OPP Detachment Commanders in accordance with the process established by the Commissioner.
Proposed technical amendments will update provisions related to:
• Suspension without pay to reflect amendments to the federal Criminal Code (Canada) that were made after the CSPA was passed.
• Requiring that the disclosure of misconduct to the Inspector General under s. 185 of the Act be in accordance with the regulations, if any.
• Permitting policing complaints to the Inspector General about "policies, rules, bylaws and procedures".
At this time, SOLGEN is requesting public and stakeholder input on the following proposed legislative amendments:
• Clarifying that all special constables who are not members of a police service must be employed by a special constable employer.
• Enabling regulations to permit groups of special constables to carry and use firearms.
• Allowing chiefs of police to request temporary assistance, in circumstances prescribed by the LGIC, from entities outside of Ontario that are prescribed by the Minister. The assistance may be subject to restrictions prescribed by the LGIC.
• Enabling the Solicitor General to request that the Inspector General consider interim measures (e.g., such as temporary suspension of a board member alleged to have engaged in misconduct) when bringing forward complaints and empowering the Inspector General to take such measures.
• Clarifying that Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Boards must participate in the OPP Commissioner's selection of permanent OPP Detachment Commanders in accordance with the process established by the Commissioner.
Proposed technical amendments will update provisions related to:
• Suspension without pay to reflect amendments to the federal Criminal Code (Canada) that were made after the CSPA was passed.
• Requiring that the disclosure of misconduct to the Inspector General under s. 185 of the Act be in accordance with the regulations, if any.
• Permitting policing complaints to the Inspector General about "policies, rules, bylaws and procedures".
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed amendments would not create any potential regulatory impact or burden and would not have any direct compliance costs for regulated entities.
Further Information:
Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Bill 10, Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025
Proposal Number:
25-SOLGEN010
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