Premiers, police chiefs to meet virtually, discuss public safety

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This article was published 18/04/2023 (912 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canada’s premiers will meet with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Friday to discuss public safety.

The virtual meeting with the police chiefs is organized by the Council of the Federation, presently chaired by Premier Heather Stefanson.

It comes after the first ministers called on the federal government to strengthen Canada’s bail system to better protect the public and create safer conditions for emergency responders, a press release from the council said Tuesday.

Premiers have called for changes to the Criminal Code and for the federal government to quickly enact legislation to address their concerns. They also want Ottawa to bolster the Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund in support of provincial and territorial public-safety initiatives.

“All Canadians — and the police officers that protect them — deserve to feel safer in their communities and in their work,” Stefanson said in the press release. “Premiers look forward to hearing the views of the chiefs of police on public-safety risks and threats, and their perspectives on the need for federal criminal law and justice reform.”

The premiers say they’re all working with key partners in their provinces to improve public safety and respond to the complex factors contributing to violent crime.

Those efforts include addressing gender-based violence, funding for mental-health and addictions supports, “addressing over representation of some populations within the criminal justice system” and combatting gang activities through prevention and intervention, the press release said.

The premiers will hold their annual summer meeting in Winnipeg July 10-12 where they’ll discuss “a broad range of important issues for Canadians, including public safety and building stronger communities.”

Stefanson will also host a meeting with premiers and Indigenous leadership “to discuss shared priorities and challenges and advance reconciliation.”

– Staff