In Ontario, what is the primary court for criminal matters?

The Ontario Court of Justice is the primary court for dealing with criminal matters in Ontario. It is where most criminal cases are first heard, including summary conviction offenses and certain indictable offenses. The Ontario Court of Justice handles the vast majority of criminal prosecutions and has jurisdiction over a range of criminal offenses laid under the Criminal Code of Canada and other federal and provincial statutes.

In addition to its primary function in criminal law, this court also addresses family law, youth criminal justice, and other specialized areas. Its structure allows it to be accessible to the public and provide a more localized approach to criminal justice, which is essential given the volume of cases managed.

In contrast, other courts mentioned, such as the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada, handle higher-level appeals and specific federal matters, but they do not serve as the first point of contact for most criminal cases. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice does have jurisdiction over serious indictable offenses but is not the primary court for all criminal matters, making the Ontario Court of Justice the correct choice when identifying the main venue for criminal proceedings in Ontario.