Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of the Solicitor General

Ministry overview

Ministry’s vision

The Ministry of the Solicitor General (the ministry) is committed to protecting Ontario. To fulfill its mandate, the ministry’s responsibilities are divided into two distinct parts: community safety and correctional services.

As part of its community safety mandate, the ministry is responsible for establishing province-wide police and fire standards and oversight and supporting crime and fire prevention initiatives at local and provincial levels. This includes provincial priorities such as gun and gang violence, auto theft and human trafficking. It also oversees the governance and licensing of security guards and private investigators and is directly responsible for Ontario’s animal welfare enforcement system.

Within the correctional services’ mandate, the ministry operates a safe, effective and accountable adult corrections system that includes correctional facilities and probation and parole offices across the province. The ministry is responsible for the safety and well-being of correctional services staff and individuals on remand or serving a custodial or community sentence.

Organizations within the ministry that contribute to community safety include the Ontario Provincial Police, the Inspectorate of Policing, the Office of the Chief Coroner, the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, the Office of the Fire Marshal and Correctional Services Investigations and Intelligence Branch. The ministry delivers training for first responders and frontline staff through the Corrections Centre for Professional Advancement and Training, Ontario Fire College, and Ontario Police College. The ministry also develops training courses and operates mobile live fire training units for local fire services.

Ministry contribution to priority outcomes

Dedicated to making Ontario a safer place to live, work and raise a family, the ministry is focused on four key priority areas. Initiatives outlined in the Annual Report support these priorities:

• Building safer communities by ensuring police have the training, tools and resources to address provincial priorities such as combatting auto theft, bail compliance, gun and gang violence, human trafficking and hate crime.
• Cracking down on puppy mills and harmful breeding practices and strengthening animal welfare enforcement.
• Improving firefighter safety by expanding training and new investments in life saving equipment.
• Modernizing Ontario’s justice system and transforming the adult correctional system, including upgrading and building new infrastructure.

Legislation

Legislation administered by the ministry include:

Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act, 2021

Requires hotels and other prescribed businesses to maintain a guest registry and includes provisions to enable police to access that information in certain circumstances.

Ammunition Regulation Act, 1994

Regulates the sale of ammunition. The Act generally requires that purchasers be a minimum of 18 years old and requires that businesses keep certain records.

Anatomy Act

Allows the General Inspector (Chief Coroner) to send bodies, which have been donated or are unclaimed, to universities or colleges for educational purposes.

Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000

Requires those convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder of a designated sex offence to report to the Ontario Sex Offender and Trafficker Registry for either 10 years or life (depending on the number of offences and their maximum sentence). The ministry is required to maintain the registry and provide police services with access to it. As a result of a Supreme Court of Canada decision, as of May 20, 2021, the Act no longer applies when an individual found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder has been granted an absolute discharge for the designated offence or offences.

Community Safety and Crime Prevention Month Act, 2024

The Act proclaims the month of November each year as Community Safety and Crime Prevention Month.

Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019

The framework for policing and police governance in the province, including requirements relating to police service boards, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment boards, board members, chiefs of police, police officers, special constables, special constable employers, First Nation Officers, public complaints, police discipline, and compliance inspections.

Coroners Act

Provides for investigations by coroners into the circumstances surrounding certain deaths. The Act sets out the circumstances under which an inquest will be held and the procedures for holding an inquest.

Correctional Services and Reintegration Act, 2018 (not proclaimed in force)

The Act would provide a legislative framework for the correctional system in Ontario including limits on the use of segregation. This Act would create an independent regional chair and members of the review roster who would serve as disciplinary hearings officers or as members of an independent review panel. The Act would also continue the Ontario Parole Board.

Correctional Services Staff Recognition Week Act, 2016

Proclaims the week commencing on the first Monday in May in each year as Correctional Services Staff Recognition Week.

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

Governs fire safety in Ontario and sets fire protection requirements for municipalities. The Act establishes the position of Fire Marshal, who has the power to monitor municipalities respecting the provision of fire protection services and to issue guidelines in relation to those services.

Firefighters’ Memorial Day Act, 2000

Establishes the first Sunday in October as Firefighters’ Memorial Day to honour firefighters.

First Responders Day Act, 2013

Establishes May 1 in each year as First Responders Day.

Forensic Laboratories Act, 2018

Requires mandatory accreditation for laboratories that perform prescribed categories of tests that is required for the purpose of legal proceedings, for some other legal purpose or pursuant to an order of a court or other lawful authority.

Hawkins Gignac Act (Carbon Monoxide Safety), 2013

Establishes the annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Imitation Firearms Regulation Act, 2000

Regulates the sale and other transfers of imitation firearms and deactivated firearms, and prohibits the purchase and sale of starter pistols capable of being adapted for use as firearms.

Interprovincial Policing Act

Provides a framework for the exercise of police powers in Ontario by police officers from other provinces. Reciprocal legislation in other provinces permits Ontario police to exercise powers in those provinces.

Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act, 2022

Establishes prohibitions for persons impeding certain transportation infrastructure if the impediment disrupts ordinary economic activity or interferes with the safety, health or well-being of members of the public. The protected transportation infrastructure will be international borders, international airports prescribed in regulation and other transportation infrastructure prescribed in regulation that is of significance to international trade. Provides police officers and the registrar of motor vehicles new tools to deal with these impediments, including powers related to licence and plate suspensions.

Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act, 2005

Requires hospitals that treat a person for gunshot wound(s) to disclose this fact to the local police.

Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025

The Act prohibits a person from knowingly permitting a premises of which the person is a landlord to be used in relation to offences under federal Acts that relate to the production or trafficking of a controlled substance or precursor, or of cannabis, if those federal offences are prescribed in regulation under this Act. The Act also prohibits knowingly possessing the proceeds of an offence under the Act. Various enforcement provisions and offences are provided for as well as provisions permitting the recovery of costs incurred in relation to the enforcement of the Act and prescribed offences.

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Act, 2018 (not proclaimed into force)

Continues the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services in a new Act. Sets out the duties and powers of the minister and provides for the appointment of employees and delegations to them.

Ministry of Correctional Services Act

Establishes the legislative framework for correctional services in Ontario and governs matters relating to the detention and release from custody of remanded and sentenced inmates. The act provides for community supervision services and establishes the Ontario Parole Board. The powers and duties of the Minister of correctional services are to be exercised by the Solicitor General, by Order in Council.

Ministry of the Solicitor General Act

Establishes the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Missing Persons Act, 2018

Establishes tools to assist members of a police service in locating a missing person in the absence of a criminal investigation, in certain circumstances. Also allows officers to apply for an order or make an urgent demand in writing in some circumstances, for the production of records to assist in locating a missing person or apply for a search warrant to facilitate a search for a missing person.

Pawnbrokers Act

The Act regulates the operation of pawnbroker businesses, including requirements for them to provide certain information to police and to allow police to conduct inspections of certain records.

Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015

Sets out a consistent and comprehensive set of standards to govern how a police record check is conducted and disclosed in Ontario. The Act defines three types of checks and sets out what information may be included in each (criminal record check; criminal record and judicial matters check; and vulnerable sector check). The Act sets out exceptions and a regulation under it sets out exemptions to some or all of the Act’s requirements for specific sectors.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day Act, 2019

Establishes June 27 in each year as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day in Ontario.

Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005

Regulates private investigators and security guards and the businesses that sell the services of private investigators and security guards. The Act replaced the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act.

Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act

Governs animal welfare in Ontario. It provides for the appointment of a Chief Animal Welfare Inspector, deputy chiefs and animal welfare inspectors. It contains prohibitions related to causing or permitting animals to be in distress and operating a puppy mill; permits the prescribing of standards of care for animals; enables inspections for compliance with such standards and permits remedial actions in relation to animals in distress and harmful dog-breeding practices.

Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2025

The Act prohibits the consumption of an illegal substance in a public place, subject to specified exemptions. Under the Act, a police officer or prescribed provincial offences officer may issue directions to a person if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is consuming an illegal substance in a public place. The officer may also seize, remove and destroy substances they reasonably believe to be illegal substances. It is an offence to fail to comply with a direction. An officer may arrest, without warrant, a person who the officer believes on reasonable grounds is guilty of an offence.

Security for Electricity Generating Facilities and Nuclear Facilities Act, 2014

Sets out various powers for peace officers in respect of restricted access to electricity and nuclear generating facilities.

Ministry programs

Community safety

Public safety

The Public Safety Division works with policing, municipal, First Nations and community partners to promote community safety and well-being. Activities include: scientific analysis at the Centre of Forensic Sciences; oversight of the private security and investigative services industry; development and amendment of policing legislation, regulation and guidance; expert training delivery and support for police and other public safety personnel to meet law enforcement needs; program development and administration of community safety grants; implementation and support for Community Safety and Well-Being planning across the province; support for intelligence-led law enforcement operations; management of provincial appointments; delivery of Ontario Major Case Management; administration and enforcement of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, including the protection of animals; and broader engagement, policy and program development and administration of funding agreements with First Nations communities to support First Nations policing in Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Under the leadership of the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, the OPP provides direct frontline policing services in hundreds of municipalities and First Nations communities throughout the province using Ontario’s Mobilization and Engagement Model. The OPP investigates province-wide and cross-jurisdictional crimes including complex fraud and organized criminal activity. In addition, the OPP patrols provincial highways and is responsible for many of the waterways and trail systems in the province. The OPP maintains specialized provincial registries, including the Violent Crimes Linkages Analysis System and the Ontario Sex Offender Registry as well as managing the Amber Alert System and Joint Air Support Unit. Oversight of provincial strategies such as child exploitation, serious fraud, biker enforcement, guns and gangs, auto theft and Canada/US border security are also responsibilities of the OPP. Included as part of its provincial mandate, the OPP also investigates anti-terrorism, cybercrime, provides emergency services support, is responsible for security for high profile international events and delivers specialized security and protection services for the Government of Ontario throughout the province.

Office of the Fire Marshal

The OFM provides leadership and expertise on fire safety matters, promotes changes to minimize the impact of fire and other public safety hazards on people, property and the environment in Ontario and is responsible for carrying out its legislated mandate as set out in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA).

The OFM works to minimize the loss of life and property from fire in Ontario by supporting municipalities, fire services and other public safety agencies to meet the needs of their communities through public fire safety education programs for Ontario’s fire services and the public, training programs and curriculum for fire services personnel and accredited certification testing to professional qualifications standards, fire protection and prevention programs and services to support all fire departments in Ontario in providing the right levels of service based on the needs and circumstances of the areas they serve and the provisions of the FPPA, technical advice and assistance on the application and enforcement of the FPPA and Fire Code and management of the appeals process for orders received under the FPPA, assistance to municipalities and coordination of response to incidents or emergencies, investigations to determine the cause, origin and circumstances of any fire and/or explosion that might have caused loss of life, serious injury or damage to property, and advice to government on public fire protection and fire safety issues.

Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS)

Ontario’s death investigation system is delivered in partnership between the OCC and OFPS. The OCC and the OFPS have a shared mission to provide high quality death investigations that support the administration of justice, the prevention of premature death and is responsive to Ontario’s diverse needs.

The OCC is responsible for conducting death investigations and inquests in accordance with provisions of the Coroners Act. Investigations are typically conducted in sudden and unexpected deaths in order to answer five questions (who, where, when, how, and by what means) and to determine if an inquest should be conducted where not mandated by the Coroners Act. Inquests are mandatory where the death occurs as a result of an interaction with the police, in a correctional facility, or while working at a mine. Deaths that occur while employed at a construction site are subject to a mandatory annual review. Investigations, inquests, and reviews may result in recommendations that may enhance public health and safety measures and prevent further deaths. The OCC also provides reporting, monitoring, and oversight on all provincial medical assistance in dying cases, including data collection in accordance with federal legislation.

The OFPS is legislatively responsible for providing medicolegal autopsy services pursuant to the Coroners Act. Since 2008, the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit (PFPU) of the OFPS, in partnership with the University of Toronto, has operated the first Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) accredited training program for forensic pathologists in Ontario and Canada. The PFPU also trains international candidates to promote global capacity development. The Eastern Ontario Regional Forensic Pathology Unit in Ottawa is also now a RCPSC-accredited forensic pathology training site for the OFPS. The OFPS also provides training for medical students, pathology and imaging residents, pathology assistants, undergraduate students, and other medical and non-medical learners.

Inspectorate of Policing

The Inspectorate of Policing is an arm’s length division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General which supports the Inspector General of Policing in fulfilling their statutory duties and authorities under Part VII of the CSPA. The Inspectorate of Policing provides operational support to inspect, investigate, monitor, and advise Ontario’s police services, police service boards and special constable employers. By leveraging independent research, analyzing data to create intelligence and promoting leading practices, the Inspectorate of Policing works to improve the performance of Ontario’s police services and its governance to make everyone in Ontario safer.

Correctional services

The mandate of correctional services is to provide care, custody and control of inmates who are remanded and/or serving a custodial sentence (up to two years less a day) and to provide supervision of offenders serving sentences in the community on terms of probation, conditional sentence and Ontario parole. Key services and programs offered by the ministry include staff training and rehabilitative programming, treatment and services designed to help offenders achieve changes in attitude and behaviour to support successful reintegration into the community and enhance public safety.

Correctional Services has five divisions: Institutional Services, Community Correctional Services, Operational Support, Correctional Services Investigations and Intelligence Branch and Corrections Centre for Professional Advancement and Training. Authority for Correctional Services is provided under both provincial and federal legislation including the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, Provincial Offences Act and the Criminal Code.

Ministry administration and strategic policy

Ministry administration

The ministry’s core businesses are supported by corporate services which provides leadership, direction, planning and governance. Ministry Administration encompasses several key offices including the Solicitor General’s Office, the Associate Solicitor General of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, the parliamentary Assistant’s Office, the Office of the Deputy Solicitor General for Community Safety, the Office of the Deputy Solicitor General for correctional services, the Associate Deputy Minister’s Office, the Provincial Security Advisor’s Office, and the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. Additionally, it includes the Communications Branch, Legal Services Branch, Business and Financial Planning Branch, Procurement and Business Improvement Branch and Human Resources Management Branch. The program also shares justice sector services for freedom of information and French language services.

Strategic Policy Division

The Strategic Policy Division is responsible for leading policy development to support ministry and government priorities. Key functions include the development of evidence-based policy, legislation and regulations and the coordination of justice sector intergovernmental activities.

Modernization

Emergency services telecommunications

Emergency Services Telecommunications Division (ESTD) provides dedicated leadership and support to the ministry’s three large-scale, complex telecommunications initiatives. ESTD delivers high availability, critical communications services for emergency service responders across the province. ESTD supports end-to-end public safety through delivering the Public Safety Radio Network and supporting transition to the Next Generation 9-1-1 network as well as development of the Public Safety Broadband Network.

Data insights and strategic initiatives

The Data Insights and Strategic Initiatives Division focuses on advancing Ontario’s criminal justice sector through innovation, digital integration, data and client-focused project services and solutions. The division provides a suite of services to all ministry divisions, partner ministries and stakeholders to lead, plan and deliver on priority initiatives, such as the Criminal Justice Digital Design and Criminal Justice Video Strategy initiatives in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General. The division also provides governance, project intake services, performance measurement, data analysis, business intelligence, as well as project and change management support to projects across the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Health services

Health Services Division provides strategic leadership to advance an accredited health care model for correctional services that supports a standard of care that is equivalent to community health care and considers health equity and culturally appropriate care. It also leads the Mental Health Secretariat and is the key liaison and support to the four mental health collaborative tables, which are focused on early intervention and on improving access to specialized mental health services to public safety personnel.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Division provides strategic leadership and oversight over the ministry's long-term capital planning needs, the renewal and improvement of ageing infrastructure and delivery on major infrastructure projects across community safety and correctional services. Infrastructure Division provides strategic services to the ministry’s diverse program areas including leasing accommodations, from procurement to building completion and in ensuring compliance with the ministry's technical standards design and security standards. It is responsible for the long-term management of the ministry’s capital portfolio and the development of its capital programs and standards.

2025–26 strategic plan

Key performance indicators

Outcome: Reduction in the incidence of violent crime

Indicator: Violent Crime Severity Index (Ontario)

Source of data: Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Data Table: 35-10-0026-01 and Data Table: 35-10-0177-01

The ministry is committed to addressing instances in violent crime in Ontario. In 2023, the Violent Crime Severity Index (VCSI) was 78.5, virtually unchanged from 2022 (78.6). The VCSI increased steadily for several years pre-pandemic (since 2015), peaking in 2019 at 75.4. Between 2015 (60.0) and 2019 (75.4), there was a 25.7 per cent increase in the VCSI in Ontario, suggesting that violent crime has become more severe. This was followed by a 7.6 per cent decrease in the VCSI in 2020. This decline can be attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders. In 2022 and 2023, Ontario’s VCSI reached the highest levels since 2009.

Outcome: Improve conditions of infrastructure in correctional facilities

Indicator: Facility Condition Index

Source of data: Infrastructure Ontario

Ensuring the upkeep of existing infrastructure while investing in improvements to Ontario’s correctional facilities is a core outcome for the ministry. The Facility Condition Index (FCI) provides the ministry with an overall measure of the condition of correctional facilities in Ontario. The FCI compares the cost to remedy existing deficiencies of an asset, or a group of assets, with the current replacement value of the asset(s) and is expressed as a percentage; a higher FCI score means that the ministry’s facilities are in a greater level of distress. The ministry’s target is to keep the FCI within a band of limited to normal deterioration (0-10%) and minor distress (11-30%). The FCI score was 14.80% in the 2018-2019 to 2020-2021 planning years, which serves as the baseline for this indicator. The subsequent trend data shows the FCI will remain between approximately 16% and 20% from the 2023-24 to 2025-26 planning years and the 2028-29 to 2030-31 planning years.

Outcome: Ontario is prepared for emergencies and natural disasters

Indicator: Percentage completion of Emergency Management Program legislative requirements

Source of data: Emergency Management Ontario

The ministry works together with Emergency Management Ontario to coordinate, develop and implement prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery strategies to maximize the safety, security and resiliency of ministry operations and services. The ministry is committed to maintaining its high level of preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters by ensuring that all legislative requirements pertaining to Emergency Management are met. The baseline year for this indicator is 2017 where the ministry completed 100% of its legislative requirements. The target is 100%, which reflects the continued expectation that all legislated emergency management requirements for the ministry are completed each year. Between 2017 and the most current reporting year, 2023, the ministry has maintained a 100% completion rate, with one exception in 2021 where the ministry completed 93% of its legislative emergency management requirements.

Note: ministry planned expenditures include statutory appropriations and consolidations. Numbers may not add up due to rounding.

Ministry budget 2025–26, operating expense and capital expense ($M)

Note: numbers may not add up due to rounding. Other services includes ministry administration, Strategic Policy Division, Inspectorate, Data Insights and Strategic Initiatives, and Agencies, Boards and Commissions.

Detailed financial information

Table 2: Combined operating and capital summary by vote

Historic trends

The Ministry of the Solicitor General is the largest direct-delivery service provider in the Ontario Public Service, providing essential frontline community safety services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to maintain the safety and security of all Ontarians. Actual ministry expenses increased in 2023-24 mainly due to investments to sustain and support service delivery for the Public Safety Division, Ontario Provincial Police and Correctional Services. The ministry takes the province’s fiscal challenges seriously and is actively working with its justice sector partners to modernize service delivery to restrain expenditures while maintaining critical service delivery.

Provincial agencies

The ministry is affiliated with the following provincial agencies:

Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission (the commission) — non-board governed agency

The commission administers the conciliation, mediation-arbitration and adjudication processes pursuant to the CSPA and its regulations. The commission’s main function involves the recruitment, and subsequent appointment of commission approved conciliators and arbitrators to assist police associations and police service boards in the resolution of collective agreement grievances, duty of fair representation allegations, and interest collective bargaining contract renewals. Disciplinary matters arising out of the CSPA are dealt with by adjudicators appointed by the chair where an application is made.

Death Investigation Oversight Council (DIOC) — advisory agency

DIOC is an independent oversight body committed to serving Ontarians by ensuring that death investigation services are provided in a transparent, effective, and accountable manner. As an advisory agency, DIOC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Chief Coroner and Chief Forensic Pathologist and administers a public complaints process through its complaints committee. In addition, DIOC advises the Chief Coroner regarding subsection 26(2) reviews for discretionary inquest.

Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Committee — advisory agency

The committee reviews applications submitted to the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers' Survivors Scholarship Fund and makes funding recommendations to the Solicitor General. The committee also advises on the administration of the scholarship fund. The scholarship is available to spouses and children of public safety officers who have died in the line of duty. The scholarship pays for the cost of postsecondary education, up to five years, including tuition, textbooks and eligible living expenses.

Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (the council) — board-governed operational enterprise

Established in 1993, the council promotes fire safety and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals interested in public safety. The council is a non-profit corporation without share capital under Part XI of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and is comprised of a board of directors and other members of the council who are representatives from fire services, industry, and the public. The fire marshal is the chair of the council. The council forms partnerships, raises and distributes funds and endorses programs and products necessary to further the development of Ontario as a fire-safe province.

Ministry organization chart

This is a text version of an organizational chart for the Ministry of the Solicitor General as of June 1, 2025. The chart shows the following hierarchical structure with the top level assigned to the Solicitor General.

• Solicitor General — Michael Kerzner
  • Provincial Agencies
    • Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers Survivors Scholarship Fund — Patricia Kirkwood, Chair
    • Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council — Jonathan Pegg, Chair
    • Ontario Police Arbitration Commission — Sig Walter, Chair
    • Death Investigation Oversight Council — Edward Then, Chair
  • Deputy Solicitor General, Community Safety — Mario Di Tommaso
    Executive Advisor — Mark Okada
    • Ontario Provincial Police — T. Carrique, Commissioner
      • Field Operations — C. Harkins, Deputy Commissioner and Provincial Commander
        • Healthy Workplace Bureau — Dr. V. Lee, Chief Psychologist
      • Investigations and Organized Crime — M. Kearns, Deputy Commissioner and Provincial Commander
      • Traffic Safety and Operational Support — K. Meyer, Deputy Commissioner and Provincial Commander
        • Information Technology and Telecommunication Services — C. Patsakos, Director
      • Corporate Services — Vacant, Chief Corporate Services Officer
        • People Operations — M. Clark, Director
        • Business Management — M. McRae, Bureau Commander
        • Fleet Supply and Weapons Services — R. Andrews, Director 
      • Culture and Strategy Services — K. Dart, Provincial Commander
        • Respect, Inclusion and Leadership — Vacant, Director
    • Office of the Chief Coroner — Dr. D. Huyer, Chief Coroner
      • Deputy Chief Coroner — Dr. D. Burke
      • Deputy Chief Coroner — Dr. R. Jhiard
    • Ontario Forensic Pathology Service — Dr. M. Pollanen, Chief Pathologist
      • Deputy Chief Forensic Pathologist — Dr. M. Pickup
      • Deputy Chief Forensic Pathologist — Dr. E. Boucher
      • Administration and Business Services — T. Fernandes, Director (this position also reports to the Chief Coroner and the Fire Marshal)
    • Public Safety Division — K. Weatherill, Assistant Deputy Minister 
      • External Relations — M. Longo, Director
      • Centre of Forensic Sciences — A. Peaire, Director
      • First Nation Policing — J. Spooner, Acting Director
      • Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario — J. Walker, Director
      • Ontario Police College — P. Hebert, Director
      • Private Security and Investigative Services — C. McLinden, Director
      • Animal Welfare Services — M. Milcynski, Director & Chief Animal Welfare Inspector
    • Office of the Provincial Security Advisor — C. Unfried, Provincial Security Advisor
      • Provincial Security — Vacant, Deputy Provincial Security Advisor
    • Office of the Fire Marshal — J. Pegg, Fire Marshal
      • Training, Certification and Public Education — John McBeth, Deputy Fire Marshal
      • Field, Advisory and Technical Services — B. Godlonton, Acting Deputy Fire Marshal
      • Fire Investigation and Emergency Response — C. Clark, Deputy Fire Marshal
      • Administration and Business Services — T. Fernandes, Director
    • Inspectorate of Policing — R. Teschner, Inspector General
      • Investigations, Inspections and Liaison  — J. Maiorano, Deputy Inspector General 
      • Centre for Data Intelligence and Innovation  — R. Chetlur, Director
  • Deputy Solicitor General, Correctional Services — Erin Hannah
    Acting Executive Advisor — Jayne Harken
    • Operational Support — T. Lewis, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Corrections Centre for Professional Advancement and Training — K. Michalicka, Director
      • Corrections Policy, Planning and Service Delivery — G. Campbell, Director
      • Service Management and Oversight — I. Sykes, Acting Director
      • Program Design and Implementation — N. Alexander, Director
    • Modernization — E. Hannah, Associate Deputy Minister
    • Emergency Services Telecommunications Division — J. Stevenson, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • 911 Services, Next Generation and Broadband Infrastructure — vacant, Director
      • Government Mobile Communications — P. Major, Director
    • Health Services Division — M. Mayoh, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Corporate Health Care and Wellness — L. Ogilvie, Acting Director
    • Infrastructure Division — T. Dirks, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Facilities and Capital Planning — A. Hajeeyani, Acting Director
    • Data Insights and Strategic Initiatives Division — C. Hagyard, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Transformation Design and Delivery — M. Falconi, Acting Director
      • Criminal Justice Transformation — S. Singh, Acting Director
      • Business Intelligence and Insights — P. Davis, Acting Director
    • Correctional Services Oversight and Investigations — S. Mitchell, Acting Chief
    • Institutional Services — D. Pitfield, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Institutional Services — D. Pitfield, Assistant Deputy Minister
        • Institutional Services — K. Sawicki, Executive Director
          • Eastern Region — T. Gunton, Regional Director
          • Central Region — C. Lacroix, Acting Regional Director
          • Western Region — K. Fitzgerald, Regional Director
          • Northern Region — M. Lauzon, Acting Regional Director
          • Toronto Region — T. Frankovich, Acting Regional Director
      • Correctional Services Operations — L. O’Brien, Acting Director
    • Community Correctional Services — S. Caldwell, Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Eastern Region — A. Ergin, Regional Director
      • Central Region — T. Chhokar, Regional Director
      • Western Region — B. Forbes, Regional Director
      • Northern Region — I. Caron, Acting Regional Director
  • Strategic Policy Division
    • Strategic Policy Division — P. Buckley, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister
      • Community Safety and Corrections Policy – P. Buckley, Director
      • Community Safety and Animal Welfare Policy – M. McCarron, Director
      • Community Safety and Intergovernmental Policy – S. Subramanian, Acting Director
  • Corporate Services
    • Corporate Services Division — M. Duran-Schneider, Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Administrative Officer
      • Human Resources Strategic Business Unit — J. Grewal, Director
      • Procurement and Business Improvement — P. Amodeo, Acting Director
      • Business and Financial Planning — R. Chowdhury, Director
  • Justice Technology Services — C. Emile, Assistant Deputy Minister/Chief Information Officer
  • Communications Branch — V. Hopper, Director
  • Legal Services — B. Loewen, Legal Director
  • Audit Services — B. Obee, Acting Director

Annual report

2024–25 Results

The ministry is building stronger and safer communities by supporting the public safety needs of the people of Ontario.

Building safer communities

Fighting auto theft and organized crime with expanded new Joint Air Support Unit

To fight against car thieves and organized crime, the Ontario government is investing $134 million to support police services to acquire and operate five new police helicopters for use in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. Equipped with the latest technology, the helicopters will help keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing and impaired driving.

As part of a new Joint Air Support Unit, the Ontario Provincial Police will acquire two new H-135 helicopters to provide support to Ottawa and Toronto Police Services. In addition, three helicopters will be procured, owned and operated by Durham, Halton and Peel Regional Police Services to support current patrols and improve response times.

This builds on the province’s $51 million investment over three years to support new measures such as the OPP’s Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team, Preventing Auto Thefts Grant program, and Ontario’s Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team.

New tool to better monitor high-risk offenders on bail

The Ontario government is cracking down on repeat and violent offenders by launching the Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard, a new tool that will allow police services to monitor, consolidate and share critical information related to individuals on bail for firearms-related offences.

The dashboard is part of the government’s $112 million investment to strengthen bail monitoring and enforcement of high-risk and repeat violent offenders, ensuring they strictly comply with their bail conditions to protect our communities. This investment also includes the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant, the Bail Compliance Unit within the OPP-led Provincial Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad and the Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the courts system.

Partnering with First Nations communities

The Ontario government announced that the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Board (NAPSB) is the first-ever First Nations police service board to come under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, the province’s policing legislation.

The province also announced a $514 million investment to support the NAPSB as it was constituted under the provincial framework for policing. The funding will allow the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service  to continue to provide culturally appropriate policing services and provide the service with resources necessary to deliver adequate and effective policing to its 34 First Nation communities.

Giving police more tools to monitor registered sex offenders

The Ontario Sex Offender and Trafficker Registry, the first of its kind in Canada, was sparked by the tragic 1988 murder of 11-year-old Christopher Stephenson at the hands of a convicted pedophile on federal statutory release. With the support of the Stephenson family, victims' groups and law enforcement organizations, the province proclaimed Christopher's Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 on April 23, 2001.

The Ontario government amended Christopher’s Law to strengthen the Ontario Sex Offender and Trafficker Registry by giving police more tools to better monitor and supervise registered sex offenders. Changes included:

• Requiring sex offenders to report to a police service within a prescribed period after being ordered to serve a conditional sentence.
• Mandating sex offenders to report to a police service within a prescribed period after receiving a passport or driver’s licence.
• Requiring offenders to report when they are starting to use or make changes to email addresses, social media usernames and other digital identifiers.
• Adding new strict travel notification requirements, including requiring registered sex offenders to provide 14 days advance notice if they intend on traveling for seven days or more and requiring that registered child sex offenders provide advance notice if they will be out of Canada for any length of time.

Increasing Capacity for the Basic Constable Training program

Ontario increased enrollment in the Basic Constable Training (BCT) program at the Ontario Police College (OPC), which will result in more boots on the ground in small, medium-sized and First Nations communities. The BCT program will accommodate up to an additional 80 recruits per year, bringing the total number of officers trained per year to up to 2,080.

Previously, the province eliminated the tuition fee for the BCT program and established four intakes per year at the OPC.

Protecting firefighters from cancer-causing chemicals

By investing $30 million over three years, the Ontario government is providing 374 municipal fire departments with funding to support cancer prevention initiatives. The funding through the Fire Protection Grant will be used to purchase equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals.

Expanding mental health supports for public safety personnel and their families

Through the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program, the Ontario government invested over $3 million to support families of first responders and public safety personnel who are killed in the line of duty or have died by suicide. The program provides free rapid bereavement counselling for grieving families of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance communications officers and adult provincial correctional services employees.

In addition, through the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program, the Ontario government is investing more than $32 million to make sure first responders and public safety personnel have access to mental health support. The program will provide specialized services for police officers, firefighters, correctional workers, paramedics and others who support Ontario’s public safety system. The program will include:

• A web portal for public safety personnel to access core services, including internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy and peer-support tools.
• Additional programs and services, such as access to a 24/7 call-line and other trauma-informed mental health services.

The Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program will also support the creation of an Anti-Stigma Strategy designed to remove potentially harmful stigmas around asking for help. The goal of the strategy is to help create work environments where people feel confident to seek mental health support.

New funding to support public safety in nation’s capital

The Government of Ontario and the City of Ottawa are continuing to work together to implement the historic New Deal for Ottawa, with $48 million in new provincial funding to improve public safety on transit and in the downtown core and $40 million to help address the increased number of asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness in Ottawa.

To enhance public safety and address community concerns related to increases in violent local crime, mental health issues and substance use, particularly in the ByWard Market area, the province will invest $48 million over three years in seven initiatives that will improve safety and security on transit and in the downtown core. This follows the approval of the city’s comprehensive Public Safety Plan that will increase the number of uniformed OC Transpo special constables on the transit system, implement new community-based initiatives including outreach and alternative mental health supports and establish a police neighbourhood operations centre near the ByWard Market to address community safety concerns.

Community grants to prevent local crime

The Ontario government supported police and community organizations by providing funding for crime prevention grant programs:

• Proceeds of Crime — Front-Line Policing Grant: $6 million over three years to help fund 23 projects led by police services, focusing on crime prevention and community safety.
• Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant: $24 million over three years to help police monitor high-risk individuals and reduce repeat offences.
• Safer and Vital Communities Grant: More than $2 million has been allocated to help prevent hate-motivated crime across Ontario.
• Ontario Closed Circuit Television Grant program: $2 million in funding to help police services enhance surveillance and safety measures.

Strengthening animal welfare

Ontario released its first Animal Welfare Services Annual Report, highlighting significant achievements in animal protection, including more than 39,000 calls received to the Animal Protection Call Centre, over 22,000 inspections or investigations conducted, and 296 charges laid over the past year.

Cracking down on puppy mills

The Ontario government passed the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act (PUPS Act) on June 6, 2024, to help stop unethical dog breeding operations, often known as puppy mills. The PUPS Act amends the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act) to stop harmful dog breeding practices, impose penalties, and make sure that dogs across Ontario receive the care they deserve.

On January 8, 2025, the Ontario Court convicted two individuals for operating a puppy mill and for offences under the PAWS Act. These were the first convictions under the new PUPS Act.

Modernizing Ontario's justice system

Ontario building safer and stronger communities

The Ontario government passed legislation that will help keep streets and communities safe and hold criminals accountable. The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 included targeted measures to help support public safety near supervised consumption sites, crack down on auto theft and careless driving, enhance the tools police can use to monitor sex offenders, tackle illegal cannabis sales and support access to justice. The government is also exploring measures to improve the collection of bail statistics as part of its ongoing calls for Criminal Code reform.

Ontario's Inspector General of Policing begins mandate

With Ontario's new policing legislation, the CSPA now in effect, Inspector General of Policing begins their legislative mandate to provide independent compliance oversight and drive improved performance in Ontario policing and police governance.

The Inspector General’s new oversight role is the first of its kind in Canada, and is supported by the Inspectorate of Policing, an arm’s length division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General that will support the Inspector General and conduct inspections, analyze data and liaise with police services and boards across the province. The Inspectorate supports the Inspector General in delivering on their important mandate and serves the public interest by ensuring police services and boards comply with Ontario's policing requirements while being responsive to the diverse communities they serve.

The Inspector General and the Inspectorate of Policing will improve performance of police services, police service boards and special constable employers by:

• Responding to public complaints police service delivery and allegations of police board member misconduct.
• Examining performance of police services and boards through independent inspections, investigations, monitoring and advising.
• Identifying effective performance and, where improvements are needed, using new enforcement tools uniquely available to the Inspector General, including issuing directions and imposing measures to ensure compliance with the CSPA and its regulations.
• Imposing measures to ensure the provision of adequate and effective policing or in cases of a policing emergency.
• Conducting data analysis and research to promote evidence-based actions and improvements.
• Publicly reporting on the activities of the Inspector General, including publishing all inspection reports and an annual report.

Building more capacity in provincial jails

The Ontario government is adding more beds to the adult correctional services system, marking an important milestone in the province’s plan to ensure safety and sufficient jail capacity in both the short- and long-term.

In the short term, the government announced in March 2025 that renovations to the Regional Intermittent Unit at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London were completed, adding 110 new beds to accommodate minimum-and medium-risk adult inmates. The government is also making progress on its plan to repurpose and reopen the Toronto Intermittent Centre at the Toronto South Detention Centre, which will add up to 320 new beds by 2026 to also accommodate minimum-and medium-risk inmates.

The province is also increasing the number of beds over the longer term by:

• Adding 66 new beds at the Quinte Detention Centre, bringing the institution’s capacity to over 300 beds.
• Building a new Brockville Correctional Complex with 250 beds on the same site as the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre and adding 25 beds to the St. Lawrence Valley facility.

This builds on the more than $500 million the government is investing to modernize adult correctional services across Ontario through infrastructure upgrades and hiring of new staff.

Key performance indicators

Outcome: Reduction in the incidence of violent crime

Indicator: Violent Crime Severity Index (Ontario)

Note: The Violent Crime Severity Index is reported by Statistics Canada (Table: 35-10-0026-01, formerly CANSIM 252-0052). The Violent Crime Severity Index is calculated by multiplying the number of violent crime offences by the weight for that offence, summing them up and then dividing by the population.

The Violent Crime Severity Index includes all Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR2) violent violations, some of which were not previously included in the aggregate violent crime category, including uttering threats, criminal harassment and forcible confinement.

Outcome: Improve conditions of infrastructure in correctional facilities

Indicator: Facility Condition Index

Note: The Facility Condition Index is a comparative industry benchmark used to indicate the relative investment need of an asset, or group of assets, expressed as a ratio of the cost of remedying the existing deficiencies to the current replacement value of the asset(s). Facility Condition Index = Renewals & Repairs over three years / Total estimated cost to replace the existing asset with an asset of equivalent utility (i.e., (Current Need + Planning Year 1 + Planning Year 2) / Current Replacement Value). Values provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure Leasehold Asset Management Plan Assessment Data.

Outcome: Ontario is prepared for emergencies and natural disasters

Indicator: Violent Crime Severity Index (Ontario)

Note: The calculation of compliance rate is based on calendar year (CY). Please note however of the time lag. For example, the 2023 CY compliance rate result will be made available by Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) in late winter of 2024. Ministries complete the emergency management legislated requirements throughout each calendar year and then submit to EMO for assessment in mid-January the following year. EMO conducts the review of each submission and then notifies the ministry of their assessment.