Ontario's beleaguered court system in campaign spotlight as Ford racks up police union endorsements

Public safety made its way into the Ontario election campaign spotlight this week, with several of the province's largest police unions taking the rare step of publicly endorsing PC Leader Doug Ford.

The endorsements came after the major party leaders repeatedly sparred over the issues of bail, the beleaguered court system and support for law enforcement during Monday night's debate. 

Ford accused his political rivals of supporting "catch-and -release" bail policies too lenient on repeat offenders, while the opposition leaders blamed him for allowing the province's courts to fall into disarray.

"Look, we need to fix our court system. Right now it is so backlogged that dangerous people are falling through the cracks, and many others who deserve their day in court aren't getting it," NDP Leader Marit Stiles said.

Ontario's courts have come under immense pressure in recent years, just as a surge in crimes like vehicle thefts, violent carjackings and home invasions have thrust public safety to the fore of political discourse.

The ongoing strain on courts has come with major consequences for legal outcomes. Most criminal charges are now withdrawn, stayed or dismissed before a decision at trial, CBC News reported last November.

That's largely because a mix of factors has led to severe delays. Digital evidence has made cases increasingly complex to investigate and prosecute, while a landmark Supreme Court decision requires criminal matters be heard within specific timeframes or risk being thrown out.

A dearth of courtrooms and human resources means some criminal trials can't proceed in time, according to Donna Kellway, president of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association.

"If you have spent the time with your witnesses, with your complainants — your victims — and you have spent that time preparing for trial and ultimately it's not reached, then that is obviously very disheartening," she said.

"It takes a great emotional toll. We're then left explaining, or trying to explain, to victims and their families why their matters aren't being reached."

Last summer, the PCs announced $29 million to appoint up to 25 new judges and hire 190 Crown attorneys and court support staff. That followed $72 million in 2021 that was, at the time, supposed to clear the existing case backlog.

"It's a good first step, but it's not enough. More resources are needed," Kellway said, stressing the need for additional investments across the justice system.

The other major parties have pitched their own plans for easing the burden on the courts.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie says she would "create specialized bail courts for violent criminals and repeat offenders" and commit to filling vacancies in the provincial judiciary.