For Immediate Release
TORONTO, November 4, 2026 — Today, Liberal leadership candidate Lee Fairclough released A Safer Ontario, her plan to tackle the challenges that threaten all Ontario communities, including auto theft, organized crime, hate-motivated crime, antisemitism, Islamophobia, intimate partner violence and cybercrime. Her plan will address the root causes of crime, improve access to first responders and support services, and ensure a fair, fast and focused court system.
“After 8 years, Ford’s Conservatives are failing to keep communities safe and Ontario families, communities and businesses are ready for that to change,” said Fairclough. “As a Liberal, I believe strongly that building more prisons is not the answer for improving public safety across this province. As Premier, my focus would be on investments that stop the cycle of crime and ensuring supports are in place for victims, survivors and first responders impacted by crimes.”
Lee will continue to build on these policies through consultation across Ontario.
Sustained Investments in Policing and the Justice System, Slash Court Delays
- Provide police officers, Crown prosecutors and community organizations resources to keep communities safe.
- Reduce court delays and ensure Ontario’s justice system has the capacity and resources to deliver timely justice.
Stop Organized Crime and Hate-Motivated Crimes
- Bring serious provincial leadership, invest and work with municipalities, communities, and police to disrupt criminal networks and break the cycle of organized crime.
- Work with communities across Ontario and the Canadian government to reduce hate-motivated crime.
- Address the causes so that people of all backgrounds, faiths and identities can feel safe in their communities, health care settings, places of worship and schools.
Safe Infrastructure – 9-1-1 Services, Safer Roads, Cybersecurity and Digital Resilience
- Strengthen Ontario’s 9-1-1 and emergency response system, with a target of zero instances of 9-1-1 calls placed on hold.
- Improve road safety, with modern infrastructure, including bike lanes.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of speed cameras in Northern and rural communities.
- Improve safety on Highways 11, 17, and the Trans-Canada.
- Work with the federal government and partners to make Ontario a cybersecurity leader and strengthen our digital resilience.
Mental Health Support for Victims of Crime and First Responders
- Ensure better coordination among victims’ services organizations, the health care and education systems and other community resources.
- Make better use of evidence and research, with strategies that put victims first.
- Ensure first responders receive the care they need for PTSD and other mental health challenges.
Confronting Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
- Strengthen prevention and supports for victims.
- Declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
- Work with community organizations, service providers, advocates, municipalities, law enforcement, survivors and those with lived experience on a prevention and response strategy.
- Immediately increase resources to people and families experiencing IPV.
- Review how Ontario Works and ODSP housing allowances may inhibit people from leaving a dangerous situation.
Hold Delinquent Parents and Spouses Accountable
- Recover billions of dollars in overdue child and spousal support payments, through additional OPP and Crown attorney resources, tougher penalties and properly funding the Family Responsibility Office.
“As a former hospital president, I believe strongly that health care settings, schools and places of worship must be safe spaces,” said Fairclough. “I will work with communities across Ontario and with the Canadian government to confront all forms of hate-motivated crime and ensure that people of every background, faith and identity can feel safe.”
To read the full plan, visit leefairclough.ca/policy/safer-ontario.
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Media Contact: media@leefairclough.ca