Decades in 6 Years: Hon. Doug Downey on Ontario’s Courts Modernization, Digital Transformation, and What’s Next.

Ontario’s justice system is undergoing one of the most ambitious periods of modernization in its history. With rapid advancements in technology, growing public expectations, and mounting pressures on the justice system, the province is at a defining moment. The question is: how do we build a system that is faster, smarter, and more resilient—while keeping communities safe and holding offenders accountable?

On November 6, 2025, The Empire Club of Canada presented Decades in 6 Years: Ontario’s Courts Modernization, Digital Transformation, and What’s Next. In this timely address, The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, reflected on the significant progress since his appointment six years ago in modernizing Ontario’s courts and advancing digital transformation.

This wide-ranging conversation examined how Ontario is modernizing the justice system from the ground up: cutting through outdated processes, strengthening access to justice, and delivering smarter tools to strengthen our economy, provide services people expect, hold offenders accountable, and keep communities safe. It also looked ahead at what’s next, as the province builds on a plan to protect Ontario and create a justice system that meets the needs of people today—and tomorrow.