We have a duty to keep our communities safe, and the planned increase in the 2023 budget to Toronto Police Services of $48.3 million announced by the Mayor on Tuesday will not necessarily make people safer, but there are concrete investments we can make right now to increase community safety.
Racialized people, and those with low incomes are overpoliced in Toronto. The Ontario Human Rights Commission's 2021 report states “the current model of policing is not sustainable.” In 2022, Toronto’s Auditor General found that 40% of the calls for police service could be handled by an alternative response. This makes up 85,000 hours over five years, and created longer response times for officers in emergency situations like life in danger. Investing in alternative responses are investments in our public safety.
The Toronto Community Crisis Service has been successful in taking a community-based approach in responding to mental health crises without involving the police. This program must be expanded to every neighbourhood to create a safer Toronto.
As a City, we must treat investments in affordable housing, education and employment as investments in our safety and well-being, and we have an opportunity to prioritize these in the upcoming budget.
-30-
Reference:
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/framework-change-address-systemic-racism-policing
https://www.torontoauditor.ca/report/review-of-toronto-police-service-opportunities-to-support-more-effective-responses-to-calls-for-service/
The ice in the harbour has thawed and spring is coming to our waterfront! I’ve been working hard, with City staff and the team at Waterfront Toronto.
I am excited to kick off spring with milestones at some of our downtown parks over the next few weeks.
Last week, we approved the 2026 City Budget, just in time for Family Day. We were focused on making life more affordable for working families.
February is a short but busy month and though it may be cold outside, there are many reasons for us to gather in and celebrate our community.
This weekend in Toronto is a cold one so make sure you know what you need to do to stay warm. Warming centres and surge sites are open now and can be located here. If you see someone in need of help, please call 311.
It’s the start of a new year and at City Hall that always means it’s time for our annual budget process. Budgets are about priorities and yesterday, City staff launched their proposed budget, which continues our work to make life more affordable.
Today, the City approved the Mayor’s 2026 Budget, a budget that prioritizes ensuring that residents of Spadina-Fort York, and across Toronto, can thrive in our city. See more about key investments here.