Toronto police board approves proposed $48 million funding increase despite criticism

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The Canadian Press Published Monday, January 9, 2023 at 5:25 a.m. EST Last updated Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:29 p.m. EST

The Toronto Police Board unanimously approved a nearly $50 million increase to the force’s budget, despite an outcry from critics who said the money would be better spent on underfunded community services.

The vote paves the way for the addition of 200 officers as well as programs to address youth violence following recent incidents that Toronto Mayor John Tory called troubling.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the $48.3 million increase was needed to improve response times and increase officer presence downtown.

Health care workers, lawyers and community organizers have argued that bolstering police forces is a flawed and ineffective way to prevent crime that disproportionately targets Black, Indigenous and racialized people in the city.

The budget must be approved by the city council at a meeting next month, although the Tories can veto council changes – a veto that can only be overridden by a two-thirds majority of councillors.

The budget increase comes after the city experienced several violent incidents – some fatal – at or near high schools as well as on public transport last year.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 9, 2023.

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