Care, Not Jail, for Mental Health Crises

Summary#

This bill, called the Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2025, says the Ontario government must recognize that jails are not the right place for people in a mental health crisis. It also says mental illness needs health care, not criminal charges. The bill was written in response to the inquest into the death of Soleiman (Soli) Faqiri.

• States a clear principle: people in crisis should get care, not be kept in correctional facilities.
• Does not set up new programs, rules, or funding. It is a statement of policy.
• Takes effect as soon as it becomes law.
• Aligns with a key recommendation from the Chief Coroner’s inquest into Soli Faqiri’s death.
• Could guide future changes in policing, courts, and corrections, but does not make those changes by itself.

What it means for you#

• People experiencing a mental health crisis and families

  • No immediate change to how police, courts, or jails handle crises.
  • Signals the province’s position that care, not jail, is the right response.
  • May be used to push for more crisis services or hospital access in the future.

• People living with mental illness

  • No new right to a hospital bed or a psychiatrist in custody is created by this bill.
  • Sets a policy direction that could support diversion to health care over time.

• Police, correctional officers, and first responders

  • No new duties or training requirements in this bill.
  • The statement may influence future training, protocols, or partnerships with health teams.

• Courts and lawyers

  • No changes to bail, charges, or remand rules.
  • The policy statement may be referenced to support diversion to treatment in future reforms.

• Health care providers and hospitals

  • No new mandates or funding in this bill.
  • May foreshadow future demand for crisis care and psychiatric services.

• Taxpayers

  • No direct costs or savings in the bill itself.
  • Any future changes (like more crisis teams or beds) would depend on later decisions.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents’ View#

• Sets a clear, province-wide stance that mental illness is a health issue, not a crime.
• Responds to the Coroner’s inquest after Soli Faqiri’s death and honors its first recommendation.
• Lays a foundation for future reforms that divert people in crisis away from jail and toward care.
• Could help reduce harm, injuries, and deaths in custody by changing the system’s direction.
• A simple first step that can build momentum for more detailed changes and investments.

Opponents’ View#

• Mostly symbolic: it does not change procedures, provide funding, or set timelines.
• May create confusion or false hope without concrete changes to policing, courts, or corrections.
• Real improvements need investments in crisis teams, hospital beds, and community care, which this bill does not provide.
• Some prefer targeted reforms to laws and protocols, rather than a broad statement.
• A few may worry the message could be misread as limiting public safety decisions, even though the bill itself does not change enforcement powers.