BANNING HANDGUNS AND OTHER MEASURES - WE NEED ACTION NOW

I was dismayed to read in today’s press that Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day is flatly rejecting calls for a ban on handguns for purposes other than law enforcement. These calls have come from people, like Toronto Chief of Police Bill Blair, who know firsthand the devastating effect of handguns.
I believe that there is widespread support among Canadians for a total ban on handguns. A ban makes sense because we must take every available step to reduce the carnage that handguns cause in our communities.
Few of us are naïve enough to think that a ban is the only answer – or that a ban is a quick fix to a complex problem. It is, however, an extremely important element of a comprehensive anti-violence strategy. Reducing the availability of handguns, no matter where they come from, is a vital step in addressing this problem – along with a number of other measures like enhanced interdiction, deterrent sentencing and investment in prevention programs.
Given that this is such a compelling public safety issue in many of our communities, it troubles me that Minister Day would also think that weakening the gun registry would actually help reduce gun crime. The registry is not the issue. A registered handgun is just as lethal. Registered handguns can be stolen or misused in the same way as unregistered ones. But an effective and efficient registry can be a very useful investigative resource in terms of tracking firearms.
We need to send a clear message about handgun crime – it will not be tolerated. Anything less may placate the gun lobby; it will be of no help to many of our most vulnerable or deprived communities who continue to suffer from the effects of handgun violence.
We must never forget that the burden of handgun crime falls disproportionately on some of our communities – for example young males and the African Canadian community. Our inaction does a grave disservice to these communities and all victims of handgun violence.
What we need from Minister Day – and the federal government – is concrete action now, and not expressions of legislative intent. It is disingenuous to suggest that repeated declarations of intent have had any impact on enhancing safety in our communities.
The articles in today’s papers provide some indication of the depth of this problem and the need for immediate action. Here are the links:

The Toronto Star

The Toronto Sun

Globe and Mail

Honouring Our Chaplains

Honouring Our Chaplains


Last night I had the pleasure of attending a dinner in honour of the Toronto Police Service's Chaplains.

I was the first Board member to ever attend this very important function, which plays tribute to the people who care for the spiritual wellbeing of the members of the Toronto Police Service.

The Board strongly supports the work of the chaplains and all members of the TPS for that matter. In my speaking notes (see below), I expressed the Board’s continued respect for our members.

Here are my remarks from last night.



Remarks at Dinner with the Chaplains
January 27, 2008


Thank you, Rev. Kelly, and Good evening!

Chief Blair, Rev. Kelly, gathered Chaplains, members of the Toronto Police Service and guests,

It gives me and my wife, Arun, great pleasure to be able to share an evening and a meal with you.

I am delighted to convey to you greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board.

As my good friend Rev. Kelly knows well, the support that you provide to the men and woman of the Toronto Police Service is of great importance to me. They have a difficult job to do in keeping the residents of this city safe. It is not a pretty or pleasant job at all times, even though the result of what they do makes a great difference in the lives of so many. In doing what they have to do, members of this Service experience great stress, encounter numerous instances of violence, inhumanity and cruelty, and endure sights and situations that would leave the toughest among us shaken.

These can take a toll not only physically, but also emotionally, psychically and spiritually. And there are times, when the burden falls on their families as well. It is exceedingly important that they are helped to restore and to maintain balance in their lives.

You, chaplains, are among those in our Service who are responsible for ensuring that these men and women receive the help and the support that they need. I have no doubt that they appreciate what you do and are immensely grateful for it. I know I am!

As you know, under the leadership of Chief Blair and the Board, this Service has made major progress in ensuring that it reflects the communities that make up this wonderful city. This means that our employees now come from all the major faiths of the world.

I believe we have benefited from our diversity. It helps us provide culturally competent and appropriate services. But this diversity also poses a challenge for us, as it does for you. We are now called upon to ensure that, to the extent we can, we must take into account the religious, cultural, linguistic and other parts of their backgrounds in developing and delivering our services to them.

I know Rev. Kelly is fully cognizant of this challenge and has been working hard to respond to it. For that, and for enabling him to meet this challenge, I thank you.

We find ourselves living in the midst of a time when it appears that too many people – and too many young people who are just starting out in their lives – are lacking a moral, ethical and spiritual compass. It is, I believe, of the utmost urgency that those who come into contact with and have to deal with such people themselves have a solid moral, ethical and spiritual foundation in their lives. Only then they can do their jobs well and effectively.

You help them maintain – and, sometimes, find – that foundation. For that, too, I thank you.

In closing, I wish you a wonderful year marked by good health, peace and happiness.

Thank you.

THE INACTION IS DEAFENING

Federal Government must step up to the plate on gun violence.

Recent tragic events in our city have drawn attention yet again to the issue of gun violence in Toronto and throughout Canada. Mayor Miller, Premier McGuinty and NDP Leader Jack Layton have all joined the growing chorus of Canadians who believe there must be a national ban on handguns. This is just a start.

Gun violence can only be addressed if all partners in the criminal justice system work together – this must include the federal government who are the only partners who can provide us with the tools we need.

The federal government MUST understand that this is an issue that affects the lives of urban Canadians. This is NOT about duck hunting or sport shooting – this is about the quality of life for Canadians including those of us who live in Toronto and other urban centres.

For its part, the Toronto Police Services Board has taken the position that the appropriate levels of government must work together to:
Take necessary legislative action to ensure that those who possess and use guns illegally are subject to serious consequences;

Impose a complete ban on the use of handguns; and

Significantly increase enforcement measures and actively seek the cooperation of the US government to prevent gun trafficking.

I wrote to Stockwell Day, the federal Minister of Public Safety, almost a year ago (Link) to inform him of our position and to urge him to immediately act on this critical issue.

To date, all we have seen out of the federal government is a suggestion that there should be an increase in the mandatory sentence for gun crimes. They have dismissed out of hand any form of complete ban on use of handguns and have proposed no other remedy to this life and death matter. They are yet to pass a single piece of legislation that deals with this serious issue.

We, as a country, need the federal government to take a good hard look at controlling gun violence through stronger enforcement, crime prevention and funding for programs that provide opportunities for young people and deter them from criminal activities.

The inaction of the federal government is deafening. If they care about the urban residents they will immediately step up and provide us the tools we require. Promises are easy to make; what we need is immediate and comprehensive action.

FAMILY DAY

SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE TO TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DAVE WILSON
You can’t have it both ways make up your mind.


Dear Dave,

I have become concerned by your playing both sides in the Family Day debate.

You want the Board to give the day unilaterally to all employees, including all TPA members.

As you know all employees are not legally entitled to all public holidays. In the case of your members, they are not eligible to receive Employment Standards Act holidays – so any holidays they get are part of the collective bargaining agreement.

As for the civilian members of the TPA, you know that they currently receive holidays in excess of what the Employment Standards Act requires.

That said, the Board has agreed that this is a matter that should properly be dealt with at the bargaining table and not be a unilateral decision by the TPSB as you have requested.

You better than anyone knows that the TPA has taken the Board to arbitration because, a few years ago, it acted unilaterally on another matter.

On one hand you argue that we should not act unilaterally on matters that are to be negotiated, and on the other hand, you demand that we do act unilaterally on Family Day. You can’t have it both ways- make up your mind, Dave.

Then there is the matter of your appeal to the City. You left in a huff and walked out of bargaining when the Mayor suggested that perhaps police bargaining should be done province-wide. You loudly expressed your dissatisfaction at this ‘interference’.

Now it would appear that you want the Mayor and the City to take over the Board’s legal responsibility as your employer and give you the Family Day.

Some friendly advice, you can’t have it both ways -make up your mind, Dave.


Dr. Mukherjee

PUBLIC FORUM ON TASERS

On Thursday, the Toronto Police Services Board is hosting a public forum with Thomas P. Smith, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of TASER International.

This forum is an opportunity for the residents of Toronto to learn more about the equipment and have their questions answered by the manufacturers’ representatives.

I encourage everyone who has a question about Tasers to attend.

The forum takes place Thursday January 17, from 5-7pm at Toronto Police Headquarters, 40 College Street, 2nd floor auditorium.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE

The Parking Enforcement Unit members play an important role at the Toronto Police Service. I was surprised by Councillor Karen Stintz’s comments in The Star on Friday that implied otherwise.

Here is my letter to the editor that got published today.

DIVERSITY AT THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE

One of the best parts of my role here at the Toronto Police Services Board is to attend the graduation of new officers. Yesterday's graduation was particularly moving as it included the most diverse graduating class in the history of the Toronto Police Service.

Here's the story from the Toronto Sun.

http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/01/11/4767253-sun.html

Let’s Be Clear About Family Day

I have been following the public discussion of Family Day and the Toronto Police Service with great interest. There has been some distortion and confusion, both intentional and unintentional, on the part of those participating in these discussions.

Let me be clear about how statutory and paid holidays work at the Toronto Police Service.

The Employment Standards Act (ESA) provides for the number of statutory holidays for employees. Police officers are not subject to the ESA. Civilian members of the Toronto Police Service are covered by the ESA.

Members of Toronto Police Service negotiate a collective agreement that governs their relationship with the Board, their employer. The agreement includes the paid holidays that Service members receive. Our current collective agreement provides a number of benefits that are much better than those required by the ESA. Service members are neither City employees nor are they subject to City directives.

For example, members of the Toronto Police Service receive 12 paid holidays, ten fixed designated holidays and two floater days. The ESA only designates 9 statutory holidays.

As you will see from the following comments by a spokesperson from the Ministry of Labour that appeared in this morning’s Toronto Star, employers that provide in excess of the ESA requirements are not required to provide Family Day.

"Although statutory holidays are legally binding and most businesses are obliged to shut their doors on that day, there are exceptions, said Bruce Skeaff, a spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

"If you are working in a unionized environment and you're being given 13 days off during the year, then you are getting greater benefit," said Skeaff. "Then under that collective agreement, you don't have to, by law, add on Family Day," he said.

Some larger businesses are working to see if flex days offered to their employees can be used, said Glen Stone, spokesman for the Toronto Board of Trade. But Skeaff says they cannot be applied in this situation.

Others who don't fall under the provincial Act and will be at work Feb. 18 include federal employees and those working in businesses regulated by the federal government such as banks, shipping companies, radio and television stations and airlines."
-Toronto Star, January 3, 2008

What this means is that ESA changes do not automatically apply to all workers. To use a different example, when minimum wage increases, those employees who are already receiving wages that are in excess of the minimum wage are not affected.