A photo of two Toronto police officers posing with far-right mayoral candidate Faith Goldy raises serious questions about potential violations of the Police Services Act’s prohibition against police supporting a candidate for election.

The image was first brought to light August 27 in a Facebook post by the Toronto Club of the Communist Party of Canada.

Ontario’s Police Services Act prohibits officers on duty and in uniform from participating in canvassing activities with political candidates.

The Act states a police officer may only canvass for a candidate or a party if they are off-duty and even then, the officer cannot solicit or receive donations.

Aside from the regulatory concerns, an image of Toronto officers posing with a candidate who supports the systemically racist carding program and backs the return of the TAVIS unit, which is unpopular for its role in disproportionate interactions between police officers and Black people, Indigenous people and People of Colour in many corners of Toronto, is extremely concerning.

Goldy is a white nationalist who appeared on a white supremacist podcast in 2017, during which she recited the infamous so-called 14 Words. She also believes in the so-called White Genocide conspiracy theory.

The Upshot

Toronto police must explain the photo and what its officers were doing posing with Faith Goldy.

criticaljusticeproject@protonmail.com | @justiceprjct