Doug Downey

Premier Doug Ford made repeated public attacks on the independence of Ontario's judiciary in early 2026 — calling judicial independence "a joke," suggesting US-style elected judges, calling sitting judges "bleeding hearts," and proposing to livestream bail hearings in potential violation of publication bans. Ontario's three chief justices issued a rare joint statement reaffirming judicial independence as a constitutional cornerstone; the Ontario Bar Association warned Ford's proposed changes would politicize the bench.

As Attorney General, Downey was responsible for defending the government's position on judicial independence. He defended Ford's attacks on judges as legitimate policy commentary while attempting to distance Ontario from US-style elections.

Over 157 inmates were improperly released from Ontario's dangerously overcrowded provincial jails between 2021 and 2025 — six remain at large as of April 2026. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner told the legislature they were all caught "instantaneously." Global News FOI documents proved that was false. Kerzner apologized "unreservedly." At the same Maplehurst facility running at 175% capacity, correctional officers zip-tied 200 inmates in their underwear for two days — and a judge stayed first-degree murder charges as a result.

As Attorney General of Ontario, Downey is responsible for the court system whose underfunding has produced record numbers of Jordan-deadline stays of proceedings. His ministry refused the Auditor General's recommendation to track reasons for stayed charges in 2024 — the second consecutive refusal since 2019. The Crown Attorneys' Association president stated publicly that resource shortages are directly causing cases to be lost before trial.