Ford rants about 'bleeding-heart judges' who are 'overruling the government'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford went on an extended rant about some of the province's judges Wednesday, arguing they are soft on crime, interfering in municipal issues based on ideology, and even floating the idea of electing judges in Canada like in parts of the United States.

"Last time I checked there hasn't been any judges elected. Maybe that's the problem — we should do what the U.S. does," Ford said at a news conference announcing proposed changes to bail reform. "Let's start electing our judges, holding them accountable, and that's my rant for the day, because I've just had it."

The premier said that while he is a big believer in Ontario's justice system and the province has some great judges, he also denounced other judges that he believes are making decisions because of their "ideology.

"These judges that are bleeding hearts, I can't wait until they retire. Matter of fact, I'll pay them to retire earlier. I'll pay you out, for two, three, four years. Just get out of the system," he said.

A recent decision that's clearly grating on Ford was from earlier this month, when Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas ordered an injunction that would force the province to keep its hands off three major Toronto bike lanes until he can decide whether the controversial plan to remove them is unconstitutional.

The province  gave itself the power last year to remove 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes, over the objections of the city. It passed a law that also requires cities to seek provincial approval to install new lanes that cut into vehicle traffic.

The province suggested that targeting bike lanes on the three major roadways would help reduce Toronto's traffic congestion — but Schabas, who heard a challenge of the law brought by Cycle Toronto and two cyclists, appeared to be skeptical of that justification.

"There is evidence that their removal will have little or no impact on the professed objectives of the legislation as stated by the minister of transportation," Schabas wrote in his injunction ruling.

The ruling said despite the government's claim that there was an urgent need to cut congestion, it presented no evidence about the process to remove the lanes or plans on what would go in their place.

Not granting the pause would mean the government could try to dismantle the bike lanes before he has time to decide the case, Schabas wrote.

Ford was none too pleased with that decision Wednesday and said the province plans to appeal the injunction.

"We get democratically elected, and some judge slaps an injunction on bike lanes. Don't the judges have anything better to do than worry about if we're taking out bike lanes or not taking out bike lanes?" he said.

Ford was at Peel Regional Police headquarters Wednesday to announce measures on bail in an upcoming justice bill, though he said the most meaningful bail reform actions must come from the federal government.

He said he spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney Tuesday after his election win, adding that he is hopeful the new iteration of the federal government will do something about bail reform for repeat, violent offenders.