The Toronto Police Association (TPA) has called on the two main party leaders to respond to four key public safety concerns before Friday, April 18.
TPA in a formal letter that was also posted on their various social media accounts told Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre the more than 8,500 police and civilian members are “watching this election closely” to see how each party will deal with these pressing issues.
The TPA in its letter slammed the Trudeau-Carney Liberals for having to “watch the deterioration” of Toronto communities “over the last several years” — “in part due to a lack of proper funding, adequate support and strong leadership in the areas of policing and public safety.”
“As a result, we are watching this election closely with a particular interest in your party's platform when it comes to these issues,” wrote the TPA.
The first question is about bail reform.
“It is a daily occurrence for our members to arrest someone who is on bail. In fact, one of the most common charges laid against a person arrested for gun related crimes is Failed to Comply,” wrote TPA under a post labelled “Question One.”
“We support the notion of rehabilitation and the fundamental right to presumed innocence. However, stricter measures must be applied to the small number of repeat violent offenders.”
“What is your party's plan to stop the revolving door of bail and implement a system that better protects the public and our members?"
The second key area of concern related to gun bans and the Liberals’ categorically unsuccessful buy-back programs — and the government’s tendency to conflate criminals with law-abiding firearms owners.
“Gun violence continues to be a threat to the safety of our communities and our members. In 2024, there was a 34% increase in shootings and a 52% increase in gun related homicides,” wrote TPA.
“There's no evidence that gun bans are effective in reducing this violence, particularly when 85% of guns seized by our members can be traced to the United States.”
“Will you end the handgun ban and gun buyback program, and redirect the resources to all police agencies, not just the RCMP and CBSA, to address the influx of illegally smuggled firearms, rather than focusing on legal gun owners?
The third issue focuses on high-risk offenders and amending the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA).
“For decades, we have supported the families of murdered police officers Todd Bayless and Michael Sweet, as well as the families of murdered schoolgirls Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffey as they fight year after year to keep the offenders in custody,” wrote TPA.
“The existing sentencing and parole system has made this a lifelong struggle.”
“Will you amend the CCRA to include a ‘high-risk’ category for offenders who present the greatest risk to the public (including offenders who have killed police)?”
The TP included in the list of CCRA amendments that it would “ensure high- risk offenders have greater barriers to any form of release” and “strengthen victims' rights.”
The fourth and final key question for the federal party leaders pertains to adequate staffing.
“Staffing at the Toronto Police Service is at a critical level. While the population of Toronto has grown exponentially in the last decade, the number of police officers has gone down,” wrote TPA.
“Toronto has one police officer for every 171 residents, less than the national average, despite being the largest city in the country.”
“Our communication center is at a crisis point too. Staff shortages mean the public is waiting up to 12 minutes to hold off, 12 minutes on hold when they call 911.”
“What is your plan to ensure the City of Toronto and the province of Ontario are adequately supported to provide our communities with appropriate police funding and resources, including assisting with national special events?”
