EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts the Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2024. The Act requires the Government of Ontario to recognize that a correctional facility is not an appropriate environment for a person experiencing a mental health crisis and that mental illness should not be criminalized.

Bill 196 2024

An Act respecting the use of correctional facilities and mental health crises

Preamble

This Bill aligns with the first recommendation made by the Ontario Chief Coroner’s inquest into the death of Mr. Soleiman (Soli) Faqiri. The inquest report offered 57 recommendations to the provincial government to improve mental health resources in the criminal justice system. Mr. Soleiman Faqiri was a man with schizoaffective disorder who was subjected to restraints, pepper spray and isolation while in prison, which ultimately led to his death. During his time in correctional facilities, he was awaiting a medical evaluation. He was not able to see a psychiatrist or have access to hospital resources despite experiencing an acute mental health crisis. The inquest deemed his tragic and preventable death a homicide.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Correctional facilities and mental health

1 The Government of Ontario shall recognize that,

  (a)  a correctional facility is not an appropriate environment for a person experiencing a mental health crisis; and

  (b)  mental illness requires health care and should not be criminalized.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2024.