Ontario Premier Doug Ford is under scrutiny from lawyers and justice advocates for his habit of commenting on criminal cases before they’ve gone to trial.
Earlier this month, Ford stood alongside the grieving family of Andrew Cristillo, who was killed in a head-on collision, and declared: “This wasn’t an accident, it was a murder.”
The accused driver, Jaiwin Victor Kirubananthan, is charged with dangerous driving causing death — but not murder. The case has yet to be tested in court.
Ford’s remarks drew sharp criticism from legal experts, who say such comments risk prejudicing juries and undermining the presumption of innocence.
Pattern of commentary
This isn’t the first time Ford has spoken out about active cases. In August, he criticized charges laid against a Lindsay, Ont. resident who allegedly assaulted a home invader, saying it showed “something is broken.” In 2021, he called bail for Umar Zameer “completely unacceptable” before Zameer was later found not guilty.
Adam Weisberg, vice president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, said Ford’s approach “disrespects the presumption of innocence and the judicial process.”
Shakir Rahim of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association added that such remarks can mislead the public and even compromise prosecutions if jurors are influenced.
Legal risks and precedents
Canadian courts have flagged this issue before. In 1982, a Quebec mistrial was declared after comments by Premier René Lévesque, and in 1997 an Ontario judge cautioned the attorney general against similar remarks.
While Ford’s comments may not breach the law, experts say they erode confidence in Canada’s justice system.
Weisberg warned there is “little upside” for the premier to weigh in on one-off cases:
“The premier should focus on shaping policy through broader analysis, not passing judgment before courts have spoken.”
