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McGuinty Government Uses Federal Funding To Improve Community Safety
TORONTO, Oct. 23 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario's share of the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund
(http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080314-2-eng.aspx) will put
up to 329 new police officers in Ontario communities.
The province will receive $156 million in federal funding over five years
to hire more officers as its share of the federal commitment of $400 million
for all of Canada.
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Under the province's plan:
- $78 million will go to employing 125 new Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP) officers
- $58 million will help municipal police services hire up to 164 new
officers
- $20 million will fund 40 new police officers for First Nations police
services.
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In 2006, the federal government pledged to put 2500 new officers on
Canadian streets. Ontario will continue to urge the federal government for its
fair share of funding.
QUOTES
"We will continue to lobby the federal government to fully fund the
additional police officers and to make the funding permanent," Community
Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci
(http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about_min/bio.html) said. "In the
meantime we will use the limited funds to increase the number of OPP officers,
help municipal police services hire more officers and address the special
needs of First Nations police services."
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QUICK FACTS
- The McGuinty government has committed to permanent funding of more
than $68 million annually, to help municipalities employ more than
2,000 police officers.
- Last year, the McGuinty government announced an increase of 200
additional officers for the OPP to keep Ontario communities safe.
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BACKGROUNDER
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POLICE OFFICERS RECRUITMENT FUND
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In 2006, the federal government committed to funding an additional 2,500
police officers in communities across Canada. The funding for that commitment
was announced in the federal budget on February 26, 2008, which allocated
$400 million over five years for the Police Officers Recruitment Fund for all
of Canada. Ontario's share is $156 million.
This amount is roughly 70 per cent less than what is required to fund the
promised officer positions.
Ontario continues to lobby the federal government to fulfill its original
pledge and to make the funding permanent instead of the current five-year
commitment. In the meantime, the province will use the limited funds to
increase the number of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers and help
municipal and First Nations police services to employ more officers.
The McGuinty government is already committed to funding of more than
$68 million annually, to help municipalities employ more than 2,000 police
officers.
QUOTES
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
"First Nations communities need extra resources to meet their community
safety needs," said Acting Police Chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
John Domm. "Ontario has taken a step in the right direction with this
initiative. We look forward to more support from the federal government to
help meet the needs of our communities."
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
"These new officers for municipal services in Ontario are vitally needed
to ensure safe and healthy communities throughout the province," said
President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Chief Ian Davidson.
"Every municipal police service will benefit from this initiative. Each one of
these new officers will positively impact their community and we are pleased
that the Ontario Government worked with Ontario's police leaders to ensure all
Ontario communities benefit from this program."
Police Association of Ontario
"More police officers working in Ontario communities helps us to be even
more effective in our work, and I thank the McGuinty government for its
efforts and support," said President of the Police Association of Ontario
Larry Molyneaux. "The PAO continues to strongly urge the federal government to
move forward with their 2006 electoral platform commitment to put at least
2,500 more police officers on Canadian streets and that sufficient funds
should be budgeted for this purpose."
OPP Commissioner
"The OPP delivers a vast array of both provincial and municipal policing
services across Ontario and as a result faces unique challenges," Commissioner
Julian Fantino said. "We are pleased that the federal government has
recognized the need for additional police resources and that the province has
committed 125 of these officers to the OPP. The additional officers are funded
for five years by the federal government and will certainly bolster the
delivery of front-line policing services, however increased permanent funding
is needed to meet current and future needs of the OPP."
Ontario Provincial Police Association
"OPP officers provide critical support for community safety all across
Ontario," said President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association
Karl Walsh. "We had expected more resources, but we welcome this increase in
the complement of OPP officers. The federal government should, nevertheless,
do more to make good on its promise to fund additional police officers for
Ontario."
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For further information: Laura Blondeau, Minister's Office, (416) 325-4973; Anthony Brown, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7772
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