TORONTO: Toronto Police Services Board Chair Alok Mukherjee has sent a letter to candidates contesting the federal election in Toronto ridings seeking their positions on three issues critical to community safety and the efficient delivery of police services. The Board has asked the Chair to solicit candidates' positions because of its keen interest in the federal role in supporting public safety in Toronto.
First, the letter describes the tremendous cost burden that the outright downloading of policing responsibilities, cross-jurisdictional policing and the need to provide policing services to fill a gap or an unmet need, have placed on the Toronto Police Service. The Chair asks candidates their position on this issue and what steps they would take in this area.
Second, the letter details the significant concerns around the use of firearms in the commission of criminal acts in Toronto and, in particular, the use of handguns by young people. The letter indicates that the Board has taken the position that all levels of government should work together to take the necessary legislative action on this issue, impose a handgun ban and increase enforcement measures to prevent gun trafficking. The Chair asks candidates their position on the measures that they believe should be taken to combat gun violence, include legislative changes, collaboration with other levels of government and the implementation of specific crime prevention initiatives.
Lastly, the letter discusses the commitment made by the Conservative Party during the last federal election to put 2500 new police officers on the streets of Canada and the fact that this commitment has yet to be fully met. The Chair asks candidates how they, if elected, would, act on this important commitment.
Each candidate is asked to describe what concrete action they will take personally on each issue, if elected and they are told that the responses will be posted publically.
The full text of the letter can be found on the Board’s website.
