Although Ontario has proposed a mechanism to automatically recognize out-of-province civil restraining orders under Bill 119, Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 (Schedule 4, which proposes the Enforcement of Canadian Restraining Orders Act, 2026), this legislation has not yet passed into law. As of June 2026, out-of-province protection orders are not automatically recognized in Ontario. Survivors relocating to Ontario must still apply for a new local restraining order under the Family Law Act, or seek a nationwide criminal Peace Bond under section 810 of the Criminal Code.
Protecting Yourself Across Provincial Borders
Domestic violence does not respect provincial borders. If you have recently fled an abusive relationship in Alberta, British Columbia, or another province and relocated to Ontario, your safety is the absolute top priority. Many survivors seek a fresh start in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, or London, carrying an out-of-province protection or civil restraining order with them. 🚨
However, a critical safety and legal trap remains: Ontario does not currently have a statutory mechanism in force to automatically recognize or enforce out-of-province civil restraining orders. To address this gap, the Ontario government introduced Bill 119, Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 on May 25, 2026, which passed its second reading on June 2, 2026. This bill includes Schedule 4, which proposes the Enforcement of Canadian Restraining Orders Act, 2026. However, because the Ontario legislature adjourned its spring session on June 2, 2026, and is not scheduled to reconvene until October 27, 2026, Bill 119 has not yet passed third reading or received Royal Assent. Consequently, this legislation is not yet in force, and its proposed simplified registration procedures are not active. Currently, survivors moving to Ontario must still apply for a new domestic restraining order under the Ontario Family Law Act (FLA), or seek a federal Criminal Code section 810 Peace Bond. Working with a compassionate family lawyer is essential to safely navigate this process and ensure your location remains protected. 👤
Step-by-Step Process to Obtain Protection in Ontario
Because Bill 119 and its proposed simplified registry are not yet law, survivors cannot simply register an out-of-province civil order at a court counter. To establish legal protection in Ontario, you must obtain a new Ontario court order or a criminal peace bond. Here is the current procedure to ensure you are fully protected. 📝
Step 1: Gather Your Out-of-Province Order
You should obtain a certified copy of your original out-of-province civil protection order with a formal court seal from the courthouse where it was issued. While not automatically enforceable, this document serves as vital evidence to prove the history of violence and the immediate need for protection when applying in Ontario. 📄
Step 2: File an Application in Ontario Family Court
Currently, you must apply for a new restraining order in Ontario. To do this, you or your lawyer will file Form 8: Application (General) under the Family Law Act or the Children’s Law Reform Act. If you are in immediate danger, your lawyer can file an urgent, temporary motion without notice (an ex parte motion) to secure an immediate temporary restraining order before the abuser is even notified of your presence in Ontario. 🏠
Step 3: Redact and Seal Sensitive Information
Your safety remains paramount. When submitting your application and supporting affidavits, your family lawyer will assist you in requesting that the court seal or redact your new Ontario address, workplace, and other contact details. This prevents the abuser from discovering your exact location when they are served with the lawsuit or notice of the temporary order. 🔒
Step 4: Ensure Entry into the CPIC Database
Once the Ontario court grants a temporary or final restraining order, the court clerk will process it. You must ensure the court or your lawyer forwards a copy of the order, along with the CPIC Restraining Order Information Form, to your local police department. They will enter the order into the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database so frontline officers across Ontario can immediately view and enforce it. 👮
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Seeking protection from domestic violence should not cause an impossible financial burden. While Ontario family courts do not charge filing fees to apply for a restraining order, hiring a family lawyer to prepare the necessary court application and attend hearings can carry costs. However, survivors of family violence may qualify for legal aid certificates or free legal assistance through Legal Aid Ontario. 💰
| Service / Step | Estimated Cost in CAD |
|---|---|
| Obtaining a Certified Copy (Out-of-Province) | Typically costs $10 to $40 CAD to retrieve from the originating court. |
| Ontario Court Filing Fees | Free. Ontario family courts do not charge filing fees to submit an application or motion for a restraining order. |
| Hiring a Family Lawyer for Ontario Court Application | Typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,500 CAD depending on complexity, urgency, and whether the motion is contested. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Without the automatic recognition proposed under Bill 119, the time it takes to get protected depends on the urgency of your situation. If your lawyer files an urgent, ex parte motion for a temporary restraining order, the court can often hear the matter and grant the order within 24 to 72 hours. If you proceed through a standard, non-urgent family law application, the process can take several weeks or months, as the respondent must be served and given a chance to respond. Once any restraining order is officially granted by an Ontario judge, it typically takes 24 to 48 hours for police to upload it to the provincial CPIC database. ⏳
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will my abuser be notified that I am seeking protection in Ontario?
Yes, under current standard rules, the respondent must be served with your family court application. However, if there is an immediate safety concern, your lawyer can request a temporary restraining order on an urgent, ex parte (without notice) basis. While the abuser will eventually find out about the order once it is granted and served, your lawyer can request that your new Ontario address and workplace be redacted from the court records to keep your relocation details completely confidential.
What if the police are called before I obtain an Ontario order?
Because out-of-province civil restraining orders are not automatically recognized in Ontario, local police cannot directly enforce them until a new Ontario court order is granted. However, if you are in danger, call 911 immediately. Ontario police can still arrest your abuser under criminal laws for offenses like criminal harassment, stalking, assault, or trespassing. Keeping a copy of your out-of-province order on hand serves as vital evidence to show officers the serious history of abuse.
Does this process apply to criminal Peace Bonds?
No, criminal Peace Bonds are different. A Section 810 Peace Bond is a federal order under the Criminal Code of Canada. Because it is a federal criminal order, it is automatically valid and enforceable by police anywhere in Canada, including Ontario, without needing to be registered in an Ontario family court.
Can I change the terms of the out-of-province order here?
No, you cannot directly vary an out-of-province civil order in Ontario under current law. If your circumstances have changed, you must apply for a brand-new restraining order in Ontario with the specific terms you require, or apply to the original out-of-province court that issued your order to have its terms modified.
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