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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is stirring up controversy again — this time with Canada’s judicial system squarely in his sights. In a fiery press conference Wednesday in Mississauga, Ford called judicial independence “a joke” and suggested that Ontario should adopt the U.S. model of electing judges. He also railed against what he called “bleeding heart” judges who, in his view, are too lenient on crime and too quick to overrule elected governments.
🗣️ “Let’s Start Electing Our Judges”
While standing at Peel Police Headquarters, Ford launched what he described as a “rant” against the current state of Ontario’s justice system.
“We get elected democratically. Last time I checked, there hasn’t been any judges elected. Maybe that’s the problem,” he said. “Let’s do what the U.S. does. Let’s start electing our judges, holding them accountable. And that’s my rant for the day.”
Ford’s comments came just days after his government announced further changes to how judges are appointed to Ontario’s lower courts — a process that many legal experts already fear has been politicized under his leadership. However, his suggestion of completely overhauling the Canadian tradition of judicial independence by electing judges is new — and highly controversial.
🧑⚖️ Ideology on the Bench?
Ford didn’t hold back in his critique of the courts, arguing that many judges are driven more by ideology than by the law. He accused some of releasing repeat offenders on bail and frustrating his government’s legislative agenda — including a judge’s recent injunction blocking Ford from removing bike lanes in Toronto 🚴♀️.
“The system is broken. And there’s a lot of terrible, terrible bleeding heart judges out there,” Ford said. “Once these judges get into their position, they have this sense of entitlement. That’s what drives me crazy.”
“We get democratically elected, and some judge slaps an injunction on bike lanes. Don’t the judges have anything better to do?”
Ford claimed that judicial decisions have cost Ontario up to $10 billion 💸 — though he didn’t provide specifics. He also suggested that judges’ names should be publicly posted if they release individuals on bail who go on to commit crimes.
🏛️ “The Legislature Is Supreme”
Ford’s frustration appeared to boil down to one central argument: elected officials should have the final say — not unelected judges.
“The legislature is supreme, meaning the people are supreme,” he declared. “When you get a mandate to do something you can’t have judges constantly overruling a government.”
He even joked: “Why don’t we have the next election with a PC Party, Liberal Party, NDP, Green Party — and the Judges Party?”
🚨 Taking on the Feds?
In a particularly bold move, Ford also floated the idea that Ontario should take over responsibility for the Criminal Code from the federal government — even though that falls under federal jurisdiction 🇨🇦.
Ford’s Attorney General, Doug Downey, chimed in to say that Ontario would continue appointing judges from a list of vetted candidates — but only those who “understand where community sentiment is at.” Downey added, somewhat cryptically, “You should see what [Ford] says in private.”
Ford also said he’d be open to offering early retirement to judges he considers too lenient — calling it “a good deal” 💼.
⚖️ Backlash on Judicial Independence
Perhaps the most shocking statement of all was Ford’s dismissal of judicial independence altogether.
“That’s a joke as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “There’s no judge appointed anywhere in this country, anywhere in the United States, anywhere in the world that’s not a political appointment. Simple as that.”
His remarks have already sparked fierce backlash from legal scholars, former judges, and civil rights advocates. Many see this as a direct attack on the rule of law and the constitutional separation between the executive and the judiciary ⚖️📜.
🧠 What It Means
Ford’s comments reflect a growing trend of populist leaders clashing with institutions designed to act as checks on government power. Whether his suggestions gain traction or not, they signal a significant shift in tone — and potentially in policy — when it comes to how justice is administered in Ontario.
Expect pushback from Ottawa, the legal community, and possibly even Ford’s own caucus if this rhetoric escalates into actual reform bills.
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📰 What’s Next?
Will Ford follow through with real legislative efforts to reform or replace Ontario’s judicial appointment system? Or was this just another political firebomb meant to rally his base? Either way, the battle between Queen’s Park and the courts is far from over.