Brampton, ON – A motion brought forward by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and seconded by St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe was passed by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, highlighting critical gaps in judicial capacity and disclosure processes across the province.
The motion calls on the Ontario government to:
- Increase Judicial Capacity – By appointing more judges, Crown attorneys, and court staff to reduce case backlogs.
- Review Disclosure Timelines – To ensure R. v. Jordan timelines are realistic and do not compromise complex investigations.
- Invest in Technology – By developing digital evidence and case management systems that can streamline disclosure and reduce inefficiencies.
In the 2022–23 fiscal year, 56 percent of criminal cases in Ontario ended with charges withdrawn, stayed, dismissed, or discharged — a 14 percent increase since 2013–14. This trend signals growing concerns over delays and inefficiencies in the justice system, often resulting in cases being thrown out before they reach trial.
Peel Regional Police have taken steps to address these challenges by hiring nine constables dedicated to managing initial disclosure and leveraging computing and AI tools to expedite the process. Still, systemic pressures remain due to increasing demands from the Ministry of the Attorney General and limited provincial resources.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors will be formally relaying these concerns to the Ministry of the Attorney General and the provincial government.
QUOTE
“Police services and courts are under immense pressure from complex investigations, limited judicial capacity, and tight disclosure timelines. This has created a bottleneck that’s not only slowing down justice, but in many cases, preventing it altogether. All levels of government can do more to enhance public safety and this motion demonstrates municipal governments’ united commitment to driving action.” - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
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Media Contact
Shawn Bubel, Director of Communications – Office of the Mayor
