In a fiery exchange with reporters Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford took direct aim at the province’s judiciary, accusing unelected judges of obstructing his government’s agenda and suggesting that Ontario consider adopting a U.S.-style system of electing judges to ensure they’re more accountable to public sentiment.
“What right do they have?” Ford said, criticizing recent court rulings. “Unelected, politically appointed judges determining our budgets? Maybe that’s the problem. We should do what the U.S. does—start electing our judges and holding them accountable.”
Ford’s remarks follow a recent court injunction that halted the government’s plan to remove several bike lanes in Toronto, including those on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. The injunction was issued last week to give the court more time to consider whether the removals would be unconstitutional, as alleged by a cycling advocacy group.
“Some judge slaps an injunction on bike lanes. Don’t they have anything better to do?” Ford said, clearly frustrated. “We get elected democratically to make decisions, and suddenly we’re blocked over bike lanes.”
The Premier didn’t stop there. He also blasted judges for what he described as leniency toward repeat offenders, questioning the judiciary’s accountability in cases involving individuals released on bail who go on to commit serious crimes.
“Does the judge call the family up and say, ‘I’m sorry I let this guy out?’” Ford said, describing a hypothetical murder committed by someone previously released on bail. “Something has to give—I can’t stress it enough.”
Ford’s comments drew immediate backlash, including from Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, who accused him of importing American-style politics into Canada’s legal system.
“Premier, with all due respect — bringing U.S.-style politics into our courts, especially now, is un-Canadian,” Stiles wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I expect the Premier to walk back his comments and stand up for the values Canadians are proud to defend.”
Ford further claimed that Canada’s judiciary is already politicized due to political appointments and accused previous Liberal governments of avoiding the selection of “tough-on-crime, conservative-minded judges.”
The Premier’s comments came shortly after his government introduced a suite of new bail reform measures, including permanent “Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams” designed to build stronger cases in court. The measures also include enhanced compliance checks and a proposal to require those wearing GPS ankle monitors to pay user fees to cover the cost of the technology.
Ford also revealed he had spoken with newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney to urge the federal government to introduce tougher bail laws. “We’re doing our part in Ontario. We need the federal government to step up too,” he said.
Separately, Ontario’s Attorney General Doug Downey announced proposed changes to the judicial appointments process, which include a streamlined system for filling Ontario Court of Justice vacancies. The changes would require the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee to consider criteria set by the Attorney General, such as candidates’ community awareness and real-world experience.
“We’re looking for judges who understand what’s going on in the community,” Downey said. “People are afraid in their own driveways. That’s unacceptable. We need judges who take the law seriously and understand community frustration.”
While Premier Ford’s remarks have sparked controversy, they signal a broader effort by the government to reshape how justice is delivered and interpreted in the province—one that may intensify debates over the role of the judiciary in Canadian democracy.