Peel Police Chief Jennifer Evans is asking the province to give the service additional funding to deal with violent crime after Premier Doug Ford announced Toronto police will receive $25 million to fight guns and gangs.

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Michael Tibollo and Attorney General Caroline Mulroney announced Aug. 9 that the $25 million in new funding is above $76 million Toronto is already getting.

“I am concerned about the escalation in gun violence we are seeing across the Greater Toronto Area. I have met with the chair and the Peel Police Services Board, and I have sent a letter off to the minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services asking for additional funding for more officers and more resources to deal with violent crime,” said Evans in a statement.

“Toronto is receiving funds from the province, and I would like to see Mississauga and Brampton get a share of that,” Evans added. “My concern is for my community and for my officers responding to these calls. My hope is these additional funds will help alleviate the strain.”

The mayors of Brampton and Mississauga are in support of Peel police.

“The chief and I both believe that Toronto shouldn’t be the only place that gets that infusion of cash to make sure that we’re properly resourced. The guns and gangs don’t actually respect borders,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey.

Read more:

Premier Doug Ford says $25 million for combating gun violence won’t go to carding

“I also spoke to (Michael) Tibollo about a letter our chief had written to the minister indicating her desire for additional funding for Peel Regional Police with respect to the increasing gun violence,” said Jeffrey.

“(Evans) had written to him probably the beginning of August or mid August indicating that the city of Toronto was able to get some additional money for increased gun violence, and her ask was that the money not just go to one city in the province because we, in Peel, are facing very similar concerns,” added Jeffrey.

“I related to the minister that it’s my understanding Peel Regional Police are investigating their 17th homicide for the year, and six of the 17 homicides were committed with a firearm,” Jeffrey said.

“Mississauga residents need to feel safe in their community. Crime and community safety are growing concerns for many residents in Mississauga and Peel Region. While Mississauga remains one of the safest cities in Canada — in fact, we remain well below the provincial and national averages for violent crime — there is a perception that crime is on the rise,” added Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“As an elected official, it’s important that I not only respond to these concerns but also find ways to help enhance community safety,” Crombie added. “There is no easy solution to crime; it requires both enforcement but also prevention and addressing the root causes of crime.”

“First and foremost, Peel Regional Police need to be properly resourced in order to do their jobs effectively and help keep our community safe,” said Crombie.

With files from Graeme Frisque.

mmarychuk@metroland.com. Marta Marychuk is a reporter with the Brampton Guardian. She can be reached at

Read more about: