Hicks Adams

05/28/2026

Ontario is moving forward with a public registry that will allow the OPP to name high-risk offenders online, aligning the province with federal and Alberta approaches to community safety notifications.

The proposal, introduced through the Solicitor General's annual omnibus justice bill, raises important legal questions about offender rights, privacy, and the limits of public disclosure.

https://ow.ly/m3Nc50Z4f79

The province has tabled legislation that will allow the OPP commissioner to publish information on offenders whenever a police chief in the province issues a community notification.

05/25/2026

Bill C-29, introduced in April 2026, proposes a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency to investigate serious financial offences, a landmark shift in how Canada enforces financial crime law.

Our latest blog covers what you need to know: https://ow.ly/lUqw50Z3pxI

Learn how Canada’s proposed Financial Crimes Agency under Bill C-29 could reshape financial crime enforcement for businesses and individuals.

05/12/2026

Roughly 30 federal prosecutions have been affected by criminal charges against Toronto Police Service officers allegedly tied to a sweeping police corruption probe, according to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Criminal charges or allegations of misconduct against a police officer can disrupt prosecutions that depend on the officer’s testimony and reliable evidence.

https://ow.ly/kwmC50YXECh

Records obtained by The Globe provide an early look at the effects of the allegations against the officers, which could sink federal prosecutions

05/05/2026

At least five inmates mistakenly released from Ontario’s jails remain unlawfully at large. The solicitor general said that, because police hadn’t issued any alerts about the missing inmates, they likely don’t pose a threat to public safety. https://ow.ly/oGju50YUM51

After Global News revealed issues with Ontario routinely releasing inmates by mistake, Ford admitted in mid-April that at least six were still on the loose.

04/27/2026

In a case arising from a woman’s complaint against her former husband, the Ontario Court of Justice decided which text messages between them constituted admissible evidence for his upcoming criminal trial, with probative value that outweighed privacy concerns. https://ow.ly/UnaI50YP5ZV

Ruling finds these records admissible, helpful in assessing complainant’s credibility

04/21/2026

Weapons offences are treated with significant gravity under the Criminal Code of Canada. Charges can arise from the possession of prohibited fi****ms or even everyday objects if they are deemed intended for use as weapons. Even without a prior criminal record, individuals can face severe legal consequences.

The law in Ontario covers various categories, including possession of prohibited weapons, carrying without lawful authority, and possession for a dangerous purpose. Distinguishing between these charges is a critical step for anyone navigating the criminal justice process.

Our latest blog post examines the different categories of weapons offences and the potential legal implications of these charges:

Weapons offences are treated seriously under Canadian criminal law. Charges related to weapons can arise in a wide range of circumstances, from possessing prohibited fi****ms to carrying everyday objects that police believe were intended to be used as weapons. Even individuals with no prior criminal...

04/14/2026

Ontario is planning a massive expansion of jails over the next few decades, The Canadian Press has learned.

The province’s jails are bursting and have been significantly over capacity for years, with the situation worsening. Ontario plans to add nearly 6,000 jail beds by 2050, documents obtained by University of Ottawa researchers through freedom-of-information laws show.

https://ow.ly/mLmK50YISIZ

Ontario is planning a massive expansion of jails over the next few decades, The Canadian Press has learned.

04/10/2026

A new study in PLOS One reveals that approximately 170,000 Canadian children experienced parental incarceration between 2015 and 2021. This first-of-its-kind data highlights a critical gap in social support systems and underscores the urgent need for targeted services to assist affected families:

The estimate comes from a first-of-its-kind study published in the journal PLOS One, tracking data from 5 provinces from 2015 to 2021.

04/07/2026

The number of police-reported hate crimes posted a slight increase of 1% in 2024. This followed some sharp increases in previous years. Overall, the number of crimes has increased six years in a row, more than doubling (+169%) since 2018.

04/02/2026

Last week’s budget promised new “modular facilities” at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury and the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton. Each would create capacity for at least 50 inmates. https://ow.ly/6xRn50YCpw7

The province says modular facilities will help relieve pressure in overcrowded jails.

03/31/2026

Toronto police say they are creating a counter-terrorism unit and a specialized task force that will see officers with semi-automatic rifles stationed at key locations in the city. The locations include places of worship, tourist attractions, high-traffic public spaces and critical infrastructure. https://ow.ly/A4Mz50YALor

Police Chief Myron Demkiw said his force would take a new approach to extremism, while also being brought in ahead of six massive World Cup matches.