$48 million proposed funding increase to be reviewed by Toronto Police Services Board

The Toronto Police Services Board is scheduled to meet on Monday to review the $48 million dollar proposed funding increase directed to the police and decide to approve the increase in the police budget.

The funding increase was proposed by Toronto Mayor John Tory on Tuesday, who detailed a $48.3-million or 4.3% increase in the police’s budget for the new year. The newly proposed increase would also mean an additional $2 million hike to aid in addressing youth violence as well as help existing supports in place for the youth.

The increase, if approved, would make the total budget for 2023 more than $1.1 billion, which would allow for 200 more officers to join the force.

Not-for-profit community legal clinic Black Legal Action Centre, in a written deputation to the meeting, expressed that it was  “extremely concerned” about how the increased funding could negatively impact black communities.