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Ontario Protecting Transit Users From Illegal Drug Use

May 4, 2026
A uniformed transit special constable stands on a subway platform beside a passing green‑and‑white train. The constable wears a high‑visibility vest with the words “Special Constable” printed on the back. Overlaid text on the image reads “Cracking Down on Illegal Drug Use.” The Ontario trillium icon appears in the top left corner, and the Protect Ontario logo is displayed in the bottom right corner.

Proposed changes would enhance enforcement on transit and crack down on illegal drug production

Solicitor General

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes

Content

TORONTO — As part of its ongoing work to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the government will soon introduce regulatory changes as part of an upcoming legislative package that would crack down on illegal drug use on transit and target illegal drug production.

“Protecting Ontario means making sure people feel safe when they use public transit,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Through these proposed changes we are giving law enforcement and their partners the tools they need to keep our communities and transit systems safe, while holding offenders and those who enable them accountable.”

As part of an upcoming legislative package, the following regulatory changes would:

“People deserve to feel safe when they take transit to work, school or home,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “As our government makes historic investments to expand public transit across Ontario, we are making it clear that illegal drug use has no place on buses, subways, streetcars or trains, and we are taking action to help keep riders, transit workers and communities safe.”

The proposed regulatory changes to combat illegal drug use and production are part of a broader legislative package to keep streets and communities safe, strengthen enforcement of existing community safety measures and better protect victims and the vulnerable.

Quick Facts

  • The Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 was enacted in June 2025 as part of the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025. The regulations would exempt retirement homes, long-term care homes and premises that provide homelessness prevention and support services, including emergency shelters.
  • The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2025, first introduced in 2024, was brought into force on June 5, 2025 as part of the Safer Municipalities Act, 2025.
  • Transit agencies currently employing special constables include Metrolinx, the Toronto Transit Commission and OC Transpo in Ottawa.

Quotes

Illegal substances threaten the safety of our communities. Our government plans to propose changes that will strengthen law capabilities, disrupt the production and sale of illegal substances, and prevent dangerous drugs from reaching our streets.

– Doug Downey,

Attorney General

The Ontario Special Constable Association (OSCA) welcomes the provincial government’s actions to equip transit special constables with additional legislative tools to enhance public safety for riders and staff. The OSCA is pleased to see the government’s recognition of special constables as essential, professional law enforcement partners that can be relied on to deliver public safety within our varied roles across Ontario.

– Sarah Kennedy,

President, Ontario Special Constable Association