July 29: The Ford government has allocated $134 million to acquire five new police helicopters aimed at curbing auto theft, carjackings, street racing, and impaired driving in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ottawa. Premier Doug Ford, alongside Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, made the announcement in Mississauga on Monday morning.
The province’s spring budget initially provided funding for four helicopters, but this latest funding will enable the purchase of five helicopters and cover ongoing operating costs. Two H135 helicopters will be acquired for the Ontario Provincial Police to use for air surveillance in Ottawa and Toronto, while the remaining three will be operated by Durham, Halton, and Peel police forces.
“Our government is making the necessary investments to ensure that police services have the tools and resources they need to crack down on auto theft and car thieves,” Ford stated in a written release.
Kerzner highlighted the sophistication of criminal networks involved in auto theft, emphasizing the need for advanced tools like these helicopters to stay ahead of such criminals. “In Ontario, a car is stolen every 14 minutes — this is completely unacceptable. These helicopters will be a critical tool in helping police stay one step ahead of the criminals who are stealing cars and committing crimes on our streets,” he said.
The Ford government’s March budget had already allocated some of the funds for the new helicopters, in addition to $51 million for the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) auto theft team. Statistics from the Insurance Bureau of Canada indicate that approximately 90,000 vehicles are stolen annually in Canada, with Toronto leading the province in auto theft claims, which have increased by 561 percent over the past five years. Other high-incident areas include Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan, and Markham.
The Ford government has also proposed that car thieves face a lifetime driver’s licence ban, though critics argue that this measure would not deter criminals.
Currently, the GTA utilizes two helicopters shared among different police forces. The addition of the new helicopters is expected to significantly bolster the region’s ability to combat auto-related crimes and enhance overall public safety.
