The City of Toronto is in the process of finalizing its 2026 budget, with the Toronto Police Service requesting an additional $93.8 million, a seven-percent increase from the previous year, to enhance its operations.
In a recent proposal to the Toronto Police Services Board’s budget sub-committee, the Toronto Police Service aims to bring in 143 new positions, including 70 frontline officers, 16 neighbourhood officers, 17 recruitment and training officers, and 40 investigative and specialized officers. Additionally, 40 new civilian roles will be created based on operational needs.
The planned increase in budget for 2026 is intended to enable faster emergency responses, enhance investigative capabilities for resolving cases, and ultimately make Toronto a safer place, as stated in a news release on Monday. The rise in expenses is attributed to factors such as collective bargaining agreements, employee benefits, and the continuation of a multi-year hiring strategy.
Despite decreases in various major crime categories in Toronto compared to the previous year, such as a significant drop in homicides and auto thefts, there has been a rise in major theft incidents. The police service’s funding primarily relies on property taxes, with the remaining portion sourced from other revenues and grants. If the proposed budget boost is approved, the total operating budget for 2026 will reach $1.43 billion.
When questioned about her stance on the police budget increase, Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her intention to wait for the review process outcome before making a decision. This follows a history of negotiations between Chow and the Toronto Police Association regarding previous budget requests.
The Toronto Police Services Board is set to evaluate the 2026 budget request on December 10, with the submission later undergoing review by the City of Toronto budget committee in January.