Toronto Police Services Board Approves 2023 Budgets

 Toronto Police Services Board Approves 2023 Budgets

At a special meeting today, the Toronto Police Services Board approved 2023 budget proposals for the Toronto Police Service operating and capital budgets, the Parking Enforcement operating budget, and the Board’s operating budget.

The Board-approved budgets will now be forwarded to Toronto City Council’s Budget Committee for consideration in the City’s upcoming 2023 budget process, commencing tomorrow, January 10.

The Board approved a report brought forward by Chief Myron Demkiw recommending that the Board approve the Service’s 2023 net operating budget request of $1,166.5M, which is a 4.3% - or $48.3M - increase over the 2022 approved budget. As the report states, this budget was prepared as one that is responsive, focused on providing adequate, effective and equitable policing services, building on a ten-year history of fiscal responsibility, cost containment, transformation and operational successes.

The approved budget makes investments in a number of key areas, including building community trust, improving emergency response time, extending the crisis call diversion program, advancing technology, accelerating police reform, and prioritizing Service Member wellness and improvements in internal trust. 

In particular, the approved budget responds to addressing the recommendations made by the City of Toronto’s Auditor General in the areas of priority response times and 911 call times.  Key themes identified in these recommendations include the need to improve and use data to enhance staffing and operational strategies, and ensure adequate resources are in place to address priority areas, as well as the need to explore alternative responses for certain lower-priority calls for service, to free up time for Priority Response Unit responders and 911 operators to respond to higher priority emergency calls and improve response times.

Chair Ainsworth Morgan noted: “The budgets approved today are the result of extensive research, strategic analysis, and considerable public engagement.  The Board recognizes the importance of reimagining the concept of community safety, in partnership with our communities, and believes that the approach employed in the budgets approved today are part of this important, transformational shift.  The Board acknowledges that many stakeholders are – and must be - involved in creating true community safety, and supports the collaborative role that the police are taking to work alongside the many others in our City in furtherance of this ever-important mutual objective. The budget also recognizes the need for financial restraint, seeking to contain costs, leverage technology and address our complex challenges in creative, effective ways.” 

Chief Demkiw stated that “this budget is based on what we heard from the public, in terms of the priorities that matter most to communities, including ensuring public safety, and rebuilding public trust.  It focuses on enhancing core services and response times to emergency calls, prioritizing modernization, accelerating reform, and providing much-needed support for our Members.”

The Board-approved 2023 budget is a multi-year plan that prioritizes core services, the hiring of officers, special constables and communication operators to ensure timely help is available when Torontonians call 911 , and also advances technology to create sufficient capacity to allow officers to optimize their time to best serve the city’s increasing needs.

The Board’s Executive Director and Chief of Staff, Ryan Teschner, commenting on the budget that was approved for the Board, said, “the Board’s budget approved today is founded on the Board’s continued commitment to meet its legislative mandate in a manner that inspires public confidence, is meaningful to those we serve, and is fiscally responsible.  The Board and Office of the Police Services Board will deliver modern independent police governance that continues to lead the country.”

The Board acknowledges the daily dedication of our Members, both uniform and civilian, in keeping Toronto safe, despite the significant community safety challenges we are now facing.  We thank them for their professionalism, integrity, compassion, and their ongoing commitment to keeping Torontonians safe.

Key Facts for the Board-approved 2023 Budgets

• Toronto Police Service 2023 operating budget
  • Approved 2023 net operating budget request of $1,166.5M, which is a 4.3% - or $48.3M - increase
• Toronto Police Service 2023-2032 Capital Program
  • Approved 2023 net request of $16.6M and gross amount of $46.6M, and a total of $219.4M net and $679.0M gross for the 10-year program.
• Parking Enforcement Unit 2023 operating budget,
  • Approved net operating budget request of $51.3M ($52.6M gross), a $0.49M or 0.95% increase over the 2022 approved budget
• Toronto Police Services Board 2023 operating budget
  • Approved net request pf $2,176,800, which is a $207,000 increase over the 2022 approved budget.

To learn more about the Service’s 2023 Budget, including line-by-line information, please visit the 2023 Budget webpage.  

To learn more about the Board’s 2023 Budget, please visit https://tpsb.ca/budget

 
Contact:          Sandy Murray
                        sandy.murray@tpsb.ca 
                        416-808-8090


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