Doug Ford commits more money to fight guns and gangs

Progressive Conservatives under Prime Minister Doug Ford are turning to the June election.

In a campaign-style announcement Tuesday, Ford said the government is spending another $ 75 million over three years fighting guns and gangs, in addition to the $ 187 million provided since he took office in 2018.

“Guns are still a big problem,” the prime minister told a news conference in northern Etobicoke, noting that nearly half of firearms dealers are street gangs.

The money will include a new “mobile prosecution unit” to guide major cases and establish an “illicit drug intelligence office” to track and disrupt drugs entering the US-Ontario border.

“We need more boots on the ground,” said Ford, who is up for re-election on June 2 and spoke against a backdrop of two police cars and four police officers at an event with three cabinet ministers.

Attorney General Doug Downey said more financial support is needed because investigations into human, gang and gun trafficking are becoming “increasingly complex.”

The additional funding was telegraphed in the fall economic statement presented by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy this month.

Robert Benzie is the bureau chief for Star’s Queen’s Park and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie