OPINION: Public safety must be a priority for new federal government
When Canadians cast their ballots in the most recent federal election, few issues resonated as strongly as crime and community safety. From rural communities facing property crime and slower response times, to urban centres struggling with open drug use, violent repeat offenders, and the visible challenges of homelessness and mental illness, it’s clear that public safety continues to be top of mind for voters across the country. That message now needs to be heard in Ottawa. As the 45th Parliament prepares to open with a speech from the throne on May 27, the Canadian Police Association is calling on the Government of Canada to make public safety a clear and collaborative priority. The challenges are real, the consequences are serious and Canadians expect meaningful action. There is an encouraging sign — all major federal parties, including both the governing Liberals and the Official Opposition Conservatives, included significant commitments on crime and safety in their platforms. While the tone and emphasis may have varied, there is a shared recognition that reforms are urgently needed to protect the public, support vulnerable Canadians and ensure our justice and public health systems are working effectively. That shared foundation offers a real opportunity for cross-party cooperation and progress. One of the most pressing concerns raised by our members across the country is the growing risk posed by serious, repeat violent offenders. Our justice system must strike a balance between rehabilitation and public protection, but far too often that balance has tipped dangerously toward leniency. The need for bail reform has been echoed not only by police but by victims’ groups, municipal leaders, and community stakeholders who are frustrated by a cycle that allows known offenders to reoffend while awaiting trial, sometimes with tragic consequences. Canadians deserve a bail system that is evidence-based, transparent, and responsive to the lived experiences of those on the front lines. We are hopeful that this Parliament will finally make progress on this issue and provide meaningful tools to ensure our communities are safe. The situation is further complicated by the growing opioid and mental health crisis affecting virtually every region of the country. Front-line officers are seeing the effects firsthand: rising levels of disorder, an increase in emergency calls involving individuals in mental health distress, and heartbreaking tragedies like the recent violent attack at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival. These are not isolated events. They are symptoms of a broken system that puts police officers in the impossible position of being mental health responders, addiction counsellors and security all at once — often with little support or insufficient resources. We need a coordinated national response that expands mental health and addiction services while acknowledging the practical reality that police remain the first call for help in too many of these situations. Partnerships with health providers, increased access to treatment options, and integrated crisis teams are all important steps, but they require consistent funding and federal leadership to succeed. At the same time, we cannot ignore the growing strain on police services themselves. Canada now has the lowest police-to-population ratio of any G7 or comparable democratic country. Recruiting and retention have become significant challenges, made worse by rising workloads and increased public expectations. The costs of policing large-scale protests and demonstrations, which have become more frequent and complex, have also added to the pressure on already strained resources. This is not sustainable. If we want professional, accountable, and effective policing in Canada, then we must ensure our agencies are adequately staffed and equipped to meet the demand. One area where there has been strong agreement across party lines is the urgent need to address first responder mental health. Policing is a challenging profession, and the toll that operational and organizational stress takes on officers and their families cannot be overstated. The Canadian Police Association was encouraged by the commitments made during the campaign to expand mental health resources for first responders, and we look forward to seeing those promises fulfilled early in the new Parliament. There is no single solution to the challenges facing public safety in Canada, but one thing is certain — police associations must be part of the conversation. Whether sworn or civilian, our members bring an unmatched wealth of first-hand experience. We see the gaps in the system every day. We respond to the calls, work in the communities, and deal with the consequences when things go wrong. We want to be productive, constructive partners. We are not here to point fingers, but to offer practical advice based on what works and what doesn’t. As Parliament prepares to return, we urge the government and all MPs and Senators to put politics aside and work together to make public safety a true national priority. Canadians are watching. And they are counting on all of us to get it right. Tom Stamatakis is president of the Canadian Police Association
