Ontario sex offenders will not be permitted to change their names after conviction

Ontario plans to ban registered sex offenders from changing their names during the time period in which offenders are required to regularly check in with police. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said those who are on the provincial sex offender registry will no longer be allowed to legally change their name once new legislation is passed. Saskatchewan and Alberta have banned such name changes.

Kerzner said the proposed changes to Christopher’s Law would also require registered sex offenders to disclose their email and social media accounts, and report any changes to their usernames. Registrants will also be required to report any new documents in their possession, such as a passport or driver’s license and stricter travel regulations will also be included in the new legislation.

“We’re not going to be timid,” Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said Friday at Peel Regional Police headquarters, when asked if he is concerned the provincial registry could be challenged in the courts just as the federal registry was two years ago, The Toronto Star reported. He promised the provincial government wouldn’t allow that concern to affect the legislation. “We will do what it takes.” He said the legislation would be introduced soon. with MPPs returning on Monday from a one-week break.

The registry, popularly known as Christopher’s Law, was named after 11-year-old Christopher Stephenson. He was kidnapped from a Brampton, ON mall by a convicted pedophile on parole. The boy was sexually abused and murdered.