Another police union has formally endorsed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for prime minister, citing his party’s firm stance on policing and public safety.
The Toronto Police Association shared its endorsement via Facebook post, marking yet another endorsement from police associations and unions to the Tories, this time from the country’s largest municipal police union, representing around 8,000 uniformed and civilian members.
“We asked the leading contenders for prime minister for their position on the policing and public safety issues that matter the most to our members and the communities we serve,” the union stated. “It is clear to us there is only one Party that has maintained a strong position on public safety issues and proactively supported police services.”
The endorsement follows similar support from police associations in Durham, Peel, Barrie, and beyond.
In a statement issued Wednesday from Hamilton, Poilievre welcomed the backing: “These men and women put their lives on the line every day to keep our streets safe. Our Conservative team is honoured to have their support and will back them up with laws to help them protect all Canadians.”
Poilievre used the opportunity to spotlight his party’s crime and public safety platform, taking direct aim at Liberal policies that he blames for the rise in urban violence and homelessness. “Instead of getting people the help they need, the Liberals abandoned our communities to chaos,” he said. “Leaving people trapped by their addictions to live outdoors through Canadian winters, sick, malnourished, cold, wet and vulnerable is the furthest thing from compassion.”
A Poilievre-led government, he said, will give law enforcement the legal tools to dismantle dangerous tent encampments and reconnect vulnerable individuals with housing, treatment, and mental health services. “Parks where children played are now littered with needles. Small businesses are boarded, because their owners can’t afford to deal with constant break-ins and vandalism,” said Poilievre.
The Conservative platform includes the creation of a “Three-Strikes-and-You’re-Out” law mandating a minimum 10-year prison term for repeat serious offenders and mandatory life sentences for human traffickers and fentanyl traffickers.
It also proposes repealing Bill C-75 to end what Conservatives call the Liberals’ “catch-and-release” approach to bail.
On drug policy, the Conservatives promise to end what they label the Liberals’ “dangerous pro-drug policies” by criminalizing unsafe supply distribution and increasing funding for addiction treatment. The party pledges to create 50,000 treatment spaces and empower judges to order mandatory rehab for drug possession and encampment-related offenses.
“Under the Poilievre plan, tent cities will no longer be an option—but recovery will be,” the Conservative release stated.
Toronto has seen a sharp rise in encampments in recent years, with 82 sites recorded in early 2023 and over 200 today, according to Conservative estimates. Chronic homelessness in Canada has risen by 38 per cent since 2018.
The Toronto Police Association said it will continue to work with any future government but emphasized that only the Conservative Party has consistently supported the tools and reforms officers need.
Election day is on Monday, April 28th.