I have attended far too many police funerals over the past few months. I have also made far too many visits to hospitals to see members recovering from injuries suffered in the line of duty. These experiences stay with you. They are a reminder that behind every headline is a person, a family, a colleague, and a community affected by violence. Last week in Ottawa, I participated in a Roundtable on Officer Safety alongside police service and association leaders from across Canada. Police services across the country are concerned about assaults, threats, and violence directed at officers. Many of us signed the letter below because we need to have an open conversation about this. I want to thank the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police @CACP_ACCP, the Canadian Police Association, and Premier Ford @fordnation for helping bring attention to this issue and for advocating for the safety of our officers. An attack on a police officer is an attack on all of us as a society. It is an attack on the rule of law, on our values, and on our way of life. It is also an attack on what makes our cities vibrant and thriving. This is an issue across our country. Public safety is the foundation on which strong communities and economic prosperity are built. A society that does not take meaningful action to prevent violence against its police officers cannot claim to be at its best. Keeping officers safe is not solely a policing issue. It is a responsibility shared by all of us: police services, legislators, educators, parents, healthcare partners, the justice system, and community leaders. The @TorontoPolice Service will continue working with all of our partners to address this issue. We support the efforts to send a clear message that violence against those who serve and protect our communities, or against anyone, is unacceptable.

Please see my statement on the line of duty shooting injury of a @TorontoPolice officer early this morning.

These members represent the very best of the Toronto Police Service. We are very proud of them. Relying on their exceptional training they demonstrated courage and composure in a very dangerous situation. Thank you for what you do serving and protecting Toronto every day.

On Yom HaShoah, we join communities in Toronto and around the world in remembering the six million Jewish people and all victims of the Holocaust. The @TorontoPolice remains committed to standing against hate, antisemitism, and discrimination.