Why Leighton Hay Deserves Compensation — Even Without Proven Police Negligence
The Issue
Leighton Hay spent 12½ years of his life behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada after new forensic evidence undermined a key part of the case against him. On November 28, 2014, the Crown withdrew the charge against him. Yet the years he lost can never be returned.
Innocence Canada, with the dedicated efforts of lawyers including James Lockyer, helped bring about Leighton’s freedom. I understand that efforts to obtain compensation for Leighton have already been made, but that compensation was not secured because police negligence was not established.
This raises a fundamental question of fairness: Should a person who loses more than 12 years of freedom because of a wrongful conviction be left without compensation simply because police negligence cannot be proven?
I believe the answer should be no.
Leighton should not have to prove that an individual police officer acted negligently for his suffering, lost opportunities, lost freedom, and the lasting consequences of wrongful imprisonment to be recognized.
Compensation is not about blaming individuals without evidence. It is about acknowledging the devastating consequences when the justice system convicts an innocent person and takes away years of their life.
I respectfully call upon the Government of Ontario, Premier Doug Ford, Attorney General Doug Downey, and all relevant government representatives to review Leighton’s circumstances and consider an appropriate form of financial compensation, including any exceptional remedy that may be available.
I also urge the government to address the broader problem of wrongful-conviction compensation in Canada so that other innocent people do not face the same barrier.
Leighton Hay deserves more than an apology for the years he can never recover. He deserves a fair consideration of compensation and recognition of the extraordinary injustice he endured.
Please sign and share this petition. Let us make it clear that justice should not end when an innocent person walks out of prison.
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The Issue
Leighton Hay spent 12½ years of his life behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada after new forensic evidence undermined a key part of the case against him. On November 28, 2014, the Crown withdrew the charge against him. Yet the years he lost can never be returned.
Innocence Canada, with the dedicated efforts of lawyers including James Lockyer, helped bring about Leighton’s freedom. I understand that efforts to obtain compensation for Leighton have already been made, but that compensation was not secured because police negligence was not established.
This raises a fundamental question of fairness: Should a person who loses more than 12 years of freedom because of a wrongful conviction be left without compensation simply because police negligence cannot be proven?
I believe the answer should be no.
Leighton should not have to prove that an individual police officer acted negligently for his suffering, lost opportunities, lost freedom, and the lasting consequences of wrongful imprisonment to be recognized.
Compensation is not about blaming individuals without evidence. It is about acknowledging the devastating consequences when the justice system convicts an innocent person and takes away years of their life.
I respectfully call upon the Government of Ontario, Premier Doug Ford, Attorney General Doug Downey, and all relevant government representatives to review Leighton’s circumstances and consider an appropriate form of financial compensation, including any exceptional remedy that may be available.
I also urge the government to address the broader problem of wrongful-conviction compensation in Canada so that other innocent people do not face the same barrier.
Leighton Hay deserves more than an apology for the years he can never recover. He deserves a fair consideration of compensation and recognition of the extraordinary injustice he endured.
Please sign and share this petition. Let us make it clear that justice should not end when an innocent person walks out of prison.
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Petition created on October 2, 2026