Item - 2021.GL23.3

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommend that:

1. City Council request the Attorney General of Ontario to halt the proclamation of the Early Resolution reforms included in Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act.

2. City Council request the Attorney General of Ontario to review the Early Resolution provisions of the Provincial Offences Act and take action to streamline and modernize this section with a view to making it easier for the public and prosecutors to engage in resolution discussions, and to administer early resolution proceedings in Provincial Offences Court. 

3. City Council request the Attorney General of Ontario to enact changes to the Provincial Offences Act and any related regulations, to permit the prosecutor and defendant or legal representative to agree, at any stage of a proceeding, to a resolution in writing for proceedings commenced under Part I of the Provincial Offences Act and to permit the Clerk of the Court to register the court outcome immediately upon receipt of the written agreement without requiring an appearance before a Justice of the Peace.

4. City Council direct that this resolution be circulated to the all Municipal City Councils and Regional Councils in Ontario for support.

This report responds to the changes to the Provincial Offences Act under Bill 177 Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act for City Council to review and consider taking action on the staff recommendations contained herein.