Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My name is Larry Molyneaux. I am president of the Police Association of Ontario. With me today is our chief administrative officer, Ron Middel. Both Ron and I were front-line police officers for over 25 years prior to taking on our current responsibilities. Karl Walsh, president of the OPP Association, and Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, had hoped to attend this presentation with us. We offer our regrets that they could not attend.
The Police Association of Ontario is a professional organization representing over 33,000 police and civilian members from every municipal police association and from the Ontario Provincial Police Association. The PAO has a history of working with government and community partners to ensure safe communities. Safe communities are a key to ensuring Canada's place in a competitive world. Canadians have a right to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, while at play, and in their schools. Safe communities create trust and comfort, attract investment, and can only lead to a stronger Canada.
The Government of Canada's tackling crime agenda consists of significant legislative changes as well as policies and programs designed to address community safety issues. The government has taken much-needed steps to ensure an effective justice system; however, this addresses only half of the community safety equation. A comprehensive justice and community safety program is dependent upon an effective judicial system coupled with adequate levels of professionally trained and resourced police personnel to ensure and enforce the rule of law.
Recently passed legislative changes have resulted in a consequential requirement to invest in additional front-line officers. Therefore, the PAO urges the government to fulfill their campaign promise and provide sufficient long-term funding to put at least 2,500 more police officers on the beat in our provinces, cities, and communities. Based on a projected cost of $100,000 in salary and benefits per officer, the PAO estimates that this initiative could cost approximately $250 million per year.
We acknowledge that partial funding has been provided for the 2,500-officer commitment. Under the community development trust, Ontario received $156 million to partially fund 329 officers over five years. The five-year funding arrangement, however, has a detrimental impact on municipal participation in the program. Investing in a new police officer is a long-term financial commitment. Unfortunately, due to this initiative's short-term nature, many municipalities are reluctant to participate in it, as they are now concerned about the future fiscal pressure they will be facing once the program's funding runs out.
Labour costs currently account for approximately 9% of the operating expenditures in police service budgets across the province. For many reasons, municipalities are consistently pressed to reduce their expenditures on police services, but high-quality professional policing is significantly compromised by budget restraints and cutbacks. We simply cannot continue to provide the level of policing that taxpayers demand within the current staff complement.
Crime is becoming more sophisticated, organized, and technically complex. Criminals are using cutting-edge technology, and the police are hard pressed to keep pace. Often investigations into these matters consume a great deal of time and resources. Criminal organizations do not face budgetary restrictions that prohibit the acquisition of equipment or personnel; it is the police charged with protecting citizens and taxpayers who face the budget restrictions. We are playing catch-up with the criminals in many instances.
The Mayerthorpe incident in 2005, in which four RCMP officers were killed during a raid on an Alberta farm, serves as an example of what can happen when a police force lacks adequate staffing levels, proper equipment, and appropriate supervision.
The threat of terrorism also has had a significant impact on law enforcement resources. The events of 9/11 and other tragedies have reinforced the need for police services to have adequate staffing levels and resources. Recent high-profile arrests, such as those of the Toronto 18, claim shares of policing budgets to provide trial security and prisoner transfers. Our capacity to respond to terrorist threats must be addressed as an immediate priority.
Ongoing fiscal pressures appear to have the greatest impact on general patrol officers. As the specialization of police tasks increases, resources are drawn from the patrol units. This places increased pressure on the remaining front-line personnel, contributing to stress and morale issues.
With the range of duties expanding, the increase in the number of officers has not kept pace with the rate of population growth over the past decade. Statistics Canada recently reported that the number of Canadian police officers per 100,000 citizens peaked at 206 police officers per 100,000 in 1975. Between 1975 and 1991, the number of police officers grew at about the same pace as the Canadian population, maintaining an average of around 200 police officers per 100,000 citizens. The latest figures show that the number has dropped to 195. There are fewer police officers on the beat now than there were 35 years ago, and the population and challenges have changed enormously.
In conclusion, budget 2010 is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the government's commitment to policing and community safety. Safe communities attract businesses, promote growth, and improve the overall quality of life of Canadians.
Also, 2,500 new police officers will improve the overall effectiveness of a tackling crime agenda. Therefore, the PAO urges the government to invest in community safety and provide provinces with the necessary long-term sustainable funding for an additional 2,500 police officers on the street.
We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this important process and we thank you for your support and interest in community safety.
We would be pleased to answer any questions.