(Queen’s Park) – Garfield Dunlop, P.C. Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, today expressed his disappointment with the lack of respect shown in yesterday’s Liberal budget for Ontario’s police services.

“Just like last November in their Throne Speech, the Dalton McGuinty Liberals have neglected to even mention the word ‘police’ in this budget,” said Dunlop. “Not only are they breaking their promise to put 1,000 new police officers on the street, they are also demonstrating a lack of commitment to police and to safe communities.”

In a recent survey commissioned by the Police Association of Ontario, participants were asked to comment on the following statement: Regardless of the deficit situation, one area that should not be cut back is funding for police services. An overwhelming 82 percent of the survey respondents agreed with this statement.

In the budget introduced yesterday, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara indicated that between 2004/05 and 2007/08, the budgets of 15 Ontario government ministries are either being flatlined or decreased. One of the ministries included on this list is the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Yet only a day before the budget, Minister Kwinter said in the Ontario legislature that the 1,000 police officers would be hired “over the length of our mandate”.

“In light of what the Finance Minister said yesterday, I’m now asking the following questions: Is the budget of this Ministry being flatlined, or is it being decreased? How can 1,000 police officers be hired under either scenario?” commented Dunlop.

“Ontarians and the police who protect them should be very concerned about the clear message this budget sends,” added Dunlop. “When it comes to law and order, Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government are soft on crime and don’t consider policing a priority.”

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)