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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is asking the federal government to increase parole ineligibility for anyone convicted of murdering police officers in the line of duty as well as stronger penalties for youth violence against cops.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ford cited several officer deaths as well as the serious injuries suffered by Belleville Police Const. Jeff Smith last month while protecting a synagogue during Yom Kippur.
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In June, Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto was shot dead while executing a search warrant connected to a “gun-for-hire” investigation and Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali was struck and killed in Northern Ontario while attempting to stop a suspect fleeing in a vehicle.
“In the face of this mounting evidence, it’s impossible to deny that more needs to be done to protect our frontline officers and protect public safety in our communities,” Ford wrote in the letter shared to social media Thursday .
Police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. The least we can do in response is have their backs, no matter what.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 1, 2026
Today, I wrote to the Prime Minister outlining a series of practical steps to support and protect our brave women and men in… pic.twitter.com/xEtaKcVp6a
Met with PM in July
Ford said he is following up on the discussion he had with Carney at the First Ministers Meeting in July where he put several proposals on the table.
The Premier wants Ottawa to amend the Criminal Code so that parole ineligibility is increased from 25 years to 30 years for anyone convicted of murdering an officer.
In addition, Ford is seeking stronger penalties for violent offences by youth against cops.
“We cannot keep asking police officers to face these dangers without giving them the strongest possible protection under the law,” Ford wrote.
Mandatory minimum sought
Other changes sought include mandatory minimum of six months for anyone who resists an arrest, assaults an officer, or flees from authorities when they have caused bodily harm or endanger the life or safety of others; reform legislation to address gun violence in congregant settings by classifying them as first-degree murders; and the creation of a new offence for violent home invasions with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ford also wants drone restrictions currently in place for federal correctional institutions to apply to provincial jails and police facilities.
In addition, the Premier would like to see Ottawa amend federal intelligence sharing policies and practices when threats are directed at law enforcement as well as legislation that permits judicially-authorized access to encrypted communications.
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“These are common-sense measures that would give police officers the tools they need when they walk into dangerous situations and when violent criminals threaten the safety of our communities,” Ford wrote.
“We owe it to the officers who have been killed or injured. We owe it to their families. And we owe it to every police officer who puts on their uniform knowing they may not make it home at the end of their shift.”
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