Chow to back council motion to approve police's requested budget hike after rejecting it

Mayor Olivia Chow will back a council motion approving the full budget increase requested by Toronto police after rejecting it earlier.

Tuesday's about-face came after the mayor's $17 billion draft budget for 2024 was released earlier this month, which initially maintained city staff's recommendation of a $7.4 million increase. It did not include a $20 million boost that the Toronto Police Service requested to its nearly $1.2 billion budget.

Chow's move to back a council motion approving the full police budget increase will mean an additional $12.6 million on top of the initial recommendation. 

In a news release Tuesday, Chow said she has been part of "promising conversations" with the federal and provincial governments about the unique costs of policing in Toronto. She said Toronto has secured hundreds of millions from federal and provincial governments but did not say how much of that will go toward the police top-up.

"Our city is at the centre of an increase in auto thefts; we host large local, national and international events every year, and we have nearly 100 consulates," Chow said.

"This has allowed me to support a motion to provide an additional allocation to the Toronto Police Services Budget that will match the request of the Toronto Police Services Board."

Chief Myron Demkiw previously said he's "disappointed" with the smaller increase, saying the force won't be able to hire four classes of 90 officers and "essential civilian professionals" this year.

"In speaking with Chief Demkiw, we have mutually recognized the need to reduce response times, develop a plan for staffing, and we will both actively seek further support from other orders of government," Chow said.