(Updated) Ford urges federal government to legalize use of pepper spray for self-defence

The federal government should legalize the use of pepper spray for self-defence purposes, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday in one of several justice-themed points of contention he raised at a press conference.

Speaking in Brockville, Ont., at an announcement about a request for qualifications to build a new jail, Ford said that DNA samples should be collected at the time of arrest for sexual offences, Ottawa should stop "dilly dallying" on bail reform, he will "take care of" the problem of retail theft, and bail hearings should be livestreamed.

"We also need to make sure that we are putting the rights of victims ahead of criminals," Ford said. 

"You always hear about Charter this, Charter that, Charter rights for criminals. How about the Charter rights for the victims once and for all? I think I'll keel over if I ever hear one of the judges out there say they're going to have Charter rights for the victims that carry these crimes for a lifetime."

Ontario's attorney general wrote to federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser over the weekend asking for Criminal Code changes, including allowing people to carry and use pepper spray for self-defence. Ford said it is particularly important for women who feel unsafe walking alone at night.

"It's a common sense way to help people, especially women in vulnerable situations, to protect themselves and their family," he said. 

"Let's say a woman is leaving a job at night and walking home, she needs something to defend herself. You know, after all, these crazy lunatics are running around because our courts are letting these people out on bail." 

In response, a spokesperson for Fraser issued a brief statement pointing to various justice system reforms the government has made.

"We will continue to work with all levels of government to keep our communities safe and ensure the justice system treats victims and survivors with dignity," Lola Dandybaeva wrote.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police said they were not consulted on the pepper spray proposal, but are now having discussions with policy-makers.

Ford also urged the federal government to enact their measures in Bill C-14, which would make it harder in some instances for accused people to get bail.

"Enough time has gone by," he said. "Stop dilly dallying and let's start moving forward on the bail reform." 

The premier also mused during his prepared remarks about wanting to livestream bail hearings, though he offered no details, nor was his office able to offer any following the speech.

Bail hearings are subject to publication bans on the evidence presented at them, if the accused requests one.

Defence lawyer Melanie Webb said there can also be publication bans on the identity of complainants or witnesses.

"If ... the entire world is able to watch a bail hearing on serious offences like murder, gun offences, where there's a whole variety of sensitive information that may be provided in the summary of the facts, that seems like not a wise idea, putting it mildly," she said in an interview.

During the premier's press conference, after starting to answer a question on pepper spray, he began talking about retail theft, though it was unclear from his remarks what solutions he may be proposing.

"What is Ontario and Canada coming to?" Ford said.

"Imagine that, just going in to a, I don't know, Best Buy, a Home Depot, a Walmart with a cart and just walking out? It has nothing to do with pepper spray, but we're going to take care of that problem too. We're going to have proper security that can actually arrest people, because these poor security guards too are sitting there and saying, 'I'm helpless.'"

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2026.