‘Tough new rules’ coming to Ontario public transit to combat drug use: Ford

People wait on the platform to enter a subway train inside a Toronto Transit Commission station in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Premier Doug Ford says his government is going to address drug use on public transit in the province, claiming riders have “had enough.”

“We’re bringing in tough new rules to crack down on people using drugs on public transit so we can keep our communities safe,” he said in a tweet Monday morning.

In February, the province proposed giving special constables on public transit additional powers to restrict individuals who are consuming drugs, giving them the option to leave the space or face charges through the provincial code.

Ford previously said that Ontarians are “scared” to go on the subways due to the public drug use.

“They do not feel safe on our subways. We have TTC constables. I think the world of them; they don’t have full powers. I don’t believe they should have full powers. Toronto Police should have full powers. But when you’re sitting there and some guy’s drugged out, he has a needle in his arm, jacking it into his arm. It’s ridiculous. They need to get off the subways and make the subway the safest subways,” he said earlier this year.

The proposed expansion of special constable powers drew mixed reviews at the time, with some transit advocates saying more social supports were needed to address the problem.

The details of the new rules referenced in Ford’s tweet are unclear.

Ford’s remarks Monday are in response to a report by CityNews Toronto, which CTV News Toronto has not independently confirmed. CTV News has reached out to the premier’s office for more information on the proposed changes.

Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, is scheduled to speak at 10:15 a.m. The details of his news conference have not been released.

With files from Joanna Lavoie