Ontario Protecting Transit Users From Illegal Drug Use

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

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:

• Give transit special constables the authority on designated transit systems to enforce the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2025. Special constables would be able to stop individuals from using illegal substances on transit and in transit areas and issue tickets or make arrests if individuals refuse to comply.
• Target illegal drug production by prohibiting owning, using or selling designated devices such as pill presses for purposes of making illicit drugs, and prohibiting owning, producing or trafficking precursor chemicals to make illegal drugs.
• Bringing the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 into force. This would make it an offence for commercial landlords to knowingly allow illegal drug production on their properties and would provide police with stronger tools under the Act to shut down these operations.

“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.