The bill, known as Tona’s Law, makes many changes to Canada’s correctional system. It aims to improve how people with mental health issues, and those from marginalized groups, are treated in prisons. It also creates new rules to make sure decisions are fairer and more transparent. The bill requires that people with mental health problems are transferred to hospitals if needed. It limits how long people can be kept in special units of isolation, called structured intervention units, to 48 hours unless a court approves more time. It allows community and support groups to be involved in helping people plan their release and reintegration after prison. It also gives prisoners the chance to ask courts to review their sentences if they believe they were unfairly applied or handled. The bill emphasizes oversight and accountability to prevent cruel treatment and reduce overrepresentation of Indigenous and marginalized populations in the correctional system.
If you or a loved one are in prison, this law could change how your health is handled. If you have mental health issues, you might be transferred to a hospital instead of being kept in isolation. If you are put in a special unit of the prison, you can only stay there for two days unless a court agrees to extend that time. Community groups, including Indigenous organizations and advocacy groups, could become more involved in planning your release back into society. The law also allows people to ask courts to review their sentences if they think they were given unfairly. Overall, the law aims to make prisons safer and fairer, especially for vulnerable groups, and to ensure better oversight of prison decisions.
The bill's fiscal notes estimate that implementing these changes will cost about $50 million over five years. This includes funding for more mental health assessments, transferring people to hospitals, and supporting community-based release plans. Data on exact annual costs are unavailable. The law also expects savings over time because less reliance on costly isolation and segregation practices is intended to improve safety and reduce legal challenges related to human rights. Data available indicate that the initial costs are mainly for increased staffing, training, and oversight measures.
Supporters say this law is necessary to protect the human rights of prisoners, especially those with mental health issues and from marginalized backgrounds. They believe that reducing segregation and increasing oversight will make prisons safer. Community organizations and Indigenous groups will have a greater role, which supporters say can help Address overrepresentation and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. They argue the law will lead to fairer treatment, better mental health care, and more effective community reintegration, which could reduce long-term costs and recidivism.
Critics argue the bill might increase costs significantly without enough evidence that it will improve safety or fairness. They worry that transferring many inmates to hospitals could overwhelm mental health systems or cause delays. Some also believe the new process for court reviews could add complexity and slow down sentence decisions. Additionally, opponents question whether community groups will be prepared or able to take on new responsibilities and whether limited resources might lead to gaps or inconsistent application of the law. They caution that changes should be carefully tested to avoid unintended consequences.