News Release

Speeding Up Major Criminal Cases

McGuinty Government Reforming Criminal Justice for Ontarians

November 28, 2008

News

Ontario has introduced reforms to the criminal justice system that will move major criminal cases through the justice system faster and more effectively.

In response to a report written by the Hon. Patrick LeSage and Professor Michael Code, released today, Ontario will speed up major criminal cases by:

• Immediately introducing major case crowns into police stations, an innovative model of police-prosecution collaboration that focuses on the pre-charge advisory stage of large and complex cases, starting in four municipalities - Toronto, Peel Region, Ottawa, and Windsor.
• Working with the federal Minister of Justice on criminal law changes aimed at improving large and complex criminal case procedures.
• Establishing mandatory peer review of all large and complex criminal prosecutions by the Ministry's Major Case Advisory Committee in the early stages of large and complex prosecutions.

By targeting a 30 percent reduction in the average number of court appearances and days to complete a criminal case, Ontario's Justice on Target strategy will further strengthen the Crown's ability to focus on large and complex cases.

Quotes

"I would like to thank Mr. LeSage and Professor Code for their thorough report. Their insightful recommendations call on all justice system participants to join us in reforming our approach to large and complex criminal cases," said Attorney General Chris Bentley. "Getting to the strongest possible criminal justice system cannot be achieved by any one of us - but it can be achieved by all of us. We are committed to criminal justice reform. I hope everyone will consider the report so we can move forward on this together."

"Every part of the justice system - judiciary, counsel, police, and government - have a role to play in moving major cases through the system more effectively," said the Hon. Patrick LeSage. "I want to thank everyone with whom we consulted for their helpful input and advice."

"We have attempted to provide both short and long-term recommendations that will make our justice system work more efficiently and effectively," said Professor Michael Code. "We are pleased to see that the Attorney General has committed to move forward on our recommendations, they should have immediate impact."

Quick Facts

• The Attorney General appointed Mr. LeSage and Professor Code to conduct a review of large and complex criminal case procedures on February 25, 2008. Their report contains 41 recommendations, focusing on five major themes.

Learn More

Read the report written by Mr. LeSage and Professor Code on large and complex criminal case procedures.

Read the Attorney General's letter to his federal, provincial and territorial counterparts.

Learn more about Justice on Target.

Contacts

Sheamus Murphy,
Ministry of the Attorney General
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley,
Ministry of the Attorney General
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210

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