For
Immediate Release
August 12, 2005
MCGUINTY PROMISES MORE OFFICERS….AGAIN
Barrett
asks if government will realize First Nations responsibility
Simcoe – MPP Toby Barrett echoed Ontario Progressive Conservative
Leader John Tory’s hope that after the latest in a long line of
promises for more police officers, the McGuinty Liberals might finally
deliver on its’ responsibility to keep Ontarians safe.
Barrett took immediate
aim at today’s announcement in its assertion that northern and First
Nations communities would be provided with up to 60 net new officers,
funded to a cap of $70,000 per officer per year.
“Just two months
ago, when I asked for support to First Nations communities fighting the
underground tobacco economy, I was told by Community Safety Minister Kwinter
that he had no, ‘responsibility for administering every single police
service’, citing the problem as an, ‘operational matter’,”
stated Barrett. “I hope this isn’t more of the same old Liberal
government double talk when it comes to protecting the people of Ontario.”
Meantime, Barrett
also joined Tory in questioning the validity of the government’s
intention to put 1,000 more police into action across the province.
“The McGuinty
Liberals have promised numerous times to ‘put 1,000 more cops on
the streets’ without taking any action - before the provincial election
in June 2003; during the campaign in October 2003; an announcement in
October 2004; and another announcement in May 2005 - and now we hear them
singing the same old tune today,” Barrett continued. “People’s
lives and security are at stake – it’s time for action, not
words.”
Over the past month
a rash of gun violence has hit Toronto. John Tory has repeatedly called
for action from Dalton McGuinty to toughen sentencing for gun crimes,
put more police officers on the streets and create a coordinated youth
strategy that works.
“The McGuinty
Liberals must get 1,000 additional police officers on the streets,”
said Tory. ““The bottom line is there are no more on the streets
right now and given the McGuinty Liberal track record on keeping promises
and being straightforward with Ontarians, I’m not sure if we’ll
ever see many of those officers.”
-30-
For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446,
416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629
|
