2021-04-18 18:45 Updated to include the 43 municipal police agencies who refused to obey Doug Ford’s illegal/unconstitutional order.
It’s now clear (if it wasn’t before) that Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his so-called ‘conservative’ government has completely lost the plot.
While more and more American states end their lockdowns and mask orders, Doug Ford decided to go full retard, despite a decades-old warning against such stupidity.
On Friday afternoon, Doug Ford and Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones gave the order for police forces to stop anyone who dares leave their home and demand those individuals explain why they aren’t cowering in fear in front of their television sets.
“We have made the deliberate decision to temporarily enhance police officers’ authority for the duration of the stay-at-home order. Moving forward, police will have the authority to require any individual who is not in a place of residence to first provide the purpose for not being at home and provide their home address.”
National Post columnist Randall Denly explained the new measures this way:
Some of the new rules are ridiculous. Golf is banned, tennis is banned, even playgrounds are banned. What was the risk? Apparently, it’s unsafe to be either indoors or outdoors now.
To summarize Ford’s new plan, go into your house, close the door, lock it and don’t come out again until the government tells you to. Just when you thought you were already in hell, Ford has turned up the heat.
The backlash from municipal police forces across Ontario was equally swift and united.
Doug Ford: Go Pound Sand.
Dr. Javeed Sukhera, Chair of the London Police Service Board, issued a public statement saying the LPS would not enforce Ford’s order.
The LPSB has serious concerns regarding the potential adverse impact and constitutionality of the Provincial Government’s expansion of police enforcement of the emergency state at home order. We cannot enforce our way out of the pandemic and would encourage the Provincial government to shift their focus to stabilizing the health system, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, and following the advice of health experts.
We have shared our concerns with Chief Williams. The Chief has reassured us throughout the pandemic that LPS has prioritized education, engagement and support for city bylaw enforcement when necessary. The Chief has been clear that LPS will not be randomly stopping people and will remain steadfast in their commitment to an equitable and unbiased approach to their work.
Adrian Woolley, President of the Peel Regional Police Association, unequivocally stated the Peel Regional Police would not enforce the new order.
I believe that these new measures called for by Doug Ford are in direct conflict with our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Further, they place all of our active frontline members in an untenable position when directed by politicians to enforce these measures.
Common sense is the answer, not threats or scare tactics. Our members will NOT be conducting random vehicle or individual stops for the sole purpose of enforcing the EMCPA. Sorry, Doug… Not on my watch!
In a response to a CP24 article, Adrian Woolley reiterated his position.
False! Our members will NOT be conducting random vehicle or individual stops for the sole purpose of enforcing the EMCPA. Sorry @SylviaJonesMPP & @fordnation that will not be happening in Peel. Don’t make cops the bad guys here!
The Toronto Police Service urged mere citizens to ‘know your rights’ – a far cry from the position they took during Bill Blair’s tenure as chief.
Have you ever been stopped by the police when you’re walking down the street? Regulation 58/16 prohibits the ARBITRARY collection of identifying information by police. You can learn more about your rights during street checks by visiting KnowYourRights.TO
Police Forces across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have all made similar announcements that they will not be enforcing Doug Ford’s draconian police state tactics.
The list of police forces issuing statements of refusal include:
- Aylmer Police Service:
“The Aylmer Police WILL NOT be conducting random vehicle stops or stopping individuals arbitrarily.” - Barrie Police Service:
“Our officers will not be conducting ‘spot checks’ on vehicles or individuals.” - Belleville Police Service:
“I want to clearly articulate to our citizens that at no time will any member of the Belleville Police Service randomly or arbitrarily stop any pedestrian or motorist,” Chief Mike Callaghan wrote in a statement released Saturday afternoon. - Brantford Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - Brockville Police Service:
Brockville Police Chief Scott Fraser says “random checks will not be part of our enforcement initiatives.” [h/t Andrew Lawton] - Chatham-Kent Police Service:
“The CKPS wishes to emphasize that our primary objective over the next six weeks will be to educate, limit mobility & contact and enforce only when necessary, with no random vehicle or pedestrian stops.“ - Coburg Police Service:
“We will not be randomly stopping people.” - Cornwall Police Service:
“CPS will not be conducting random pedestrian or vehicle stops.” - Dryden Police Service:
“We will not be randomly stopping people.” - Durham Regional Police Service:
“In regards to the new provincial regulations, we will continue to engage our community, educate when appropriate & enforce when necessary. At this time, this does not include randomly stopping vehicles in order to enforce the stay-at-home orders.” - Gananoque Police Service:
Chief Garry Hull says the Gananoque Police Service “will be in lockstep with the position of the numerous other services across the province. We will not be conducting random stops.” - Guelph Police Service:
“However, it is not our intention to conduct random vehicle or person stops.” - Halton Regional Police Service:
“To our amazing Halton citizens. We are all going through a horrific year of COVID-19 and all associated with it together. The HRPS will NOT be randomly stopping vehicles for no reason during the pandemic or afterwards.” - Hamilton Police Service:
“Hamilton Police… members will NOT be conducting arbitrary vehicle and person stops for the sole purpose of enforcing the Stay-at-Home order.” - Hanover Police Service:
“Rest assured we will continue with the same measured, common sense approach to navigate the Orders & the situations we find ourselves in since the beginning. We will continue to focus on compliance through meaningful conversations, education & enforcement when deemed appropriate.” - Kawartha Lakes Police Service:
“Kawartha Lakes Police officers will not be arbitrarily stopping pedestrians or motorists.” - Kingston Police Service:
“Members of the Kingston Police will not be conducting random vehicle or pedestrian stops,” said Chief of Police Antje McNeely. - LaSalle Police Service:
“The LaSalle Police Service will not be conducting random traffic stops or person checks for the sole purpose of enforcing the stay-at-home order.” - London Police Service:
Board Statement: https://twitter.com/ldnpoliceboard/status/1383379443142381573/photo/1
Chief: “We will not be randomly stopping people.” - Niagara Regional Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - North Bay Police Service:
“As we review the new provincial regulations, please note that #NorthBay Police will NOT be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.“ - Ottawa Police Service:
“The OPS will not be conducting random stops. We will be taking a deliberate and careful approach that emphasizes equity, legality, and efficacy in the application of these authorities with the specific and exclusive purpose to support public health measures.” - Owen Sound Police Service:
“Officers will not be conducting random person or vehicle stops.” - Peel Regional Police Service:
Chief Nishan Duraiappah stated, “I recognize the concern that this brings to our community as a whole. As Chief of one of the most diverse communities in Canada, I would like to reassure our citizens that our officers will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops”. - Peterborough Police Service:
“Although these new enforcement measures have been given, Peterborough Police will continue to be complaints-driven in our response to the increased measures, that means we will not be randomly stopping people.” - Port Hope Police Service:
“I have directed our officers that we will not be randomly stopping vehicles or pedestrians for the sole purpose of determining why they are in Port Hope or out of their residence.” - St Thomas Police Service:
“We will not be randomly stopping people. We will continue to police with the same common sense approach we have used since the beginning of the pandemic.” - Sarnia Police Services:
“At this time, the Sarnia Police Service has no intention of randomly stopping pedestrians or motor vehicles in relation to these Acts but rather will continue its enforcement based on either observed violations or complaints that have been generated by the public.” - Saugeen Shores Police Service:
“The Saugeen Shores Police Service will be conducting evidence based investigations concerning this Stay-at-Home Order, and will not be conducting ‘random checks’ of individuals.” - Sault Ste. Marie Police:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops for the sole purpose of ensuring EMCPA compliance.” - Smiths Falls Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random stops of vehicles or pedestrians.” - South Simcoe Police Service:
“Until we have a full understanding of the new Regulations we will continue to use discretion in our day to day interactions with members of the public and will not be conducting random vehicle or person stops.” - Stratford Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random stops on vehicles, or pedestrians.” - Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service:
“We will not be randomly stopping vehicles or pedestrians; we will respond to direct complaints that are received of possible violations of the Stay at Home Order under the EMCPA or the Re-opening Ontario Act.” - Greater Sudbury Police:
“We will not be conducting random person or vehicle stops for the sole purpose of determining where you are going or why you are out of your residence.” [full statement] - Thunder Bay Police Service:
“Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - Timmins Police Service:
Timmins Police say there will be “absolutely no random stops” of cars to determine whether the driver or passengers are violating the provincial stay-at-home order. - Toronto Police Service:
“The Toronto Police Service will continue to engage, educate and enforce, but we will not be doing random stops of people or cars.” - Waterloo Regional Police:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - West Grey Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - Windsor Police Service:
“Officers will not be randomly stopping people or vehicles.” - Woodstock Police Service:
“We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops.” - York Regional Police:
“After having reviewed the new provincial regulation, @YRP will be taking a balanced approach to enforcement and will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops. “
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police also came out against Ford’s unconstitutional order, albeit in a vague and politically correct manner.
Under the new enforcement measures introduced today, police officers will have the authority to ask anyone outside their residence to provide their address and indicate their purpose for being outside their residence. This includes stopping vehicles and pedestrians to make these inquiries.
If a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is in violation of any of the Emergency Orders, the person will be required to identify themselves in order to facilitate the issuance of a ticket, with a fine of approximately $750. If the person refuses to identify themselves, they could be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.
Our police officers will use their discretion in using such measures. As we review the new authorities provided today by the Government of Ontario and communicate these authorities to our police officers, Ontario police services remain committed to ensuring their police officers and personnel work in a transparent and accountable manner whenever they interact with Ontarians during these trying times.
It’s refreshing to see so many police forces come to their senses, if only in a tiny part, when it comes to this lockdown nonsense.
Hopefully this marks the end of the total stupidity we’re seeing in Canada and marks the beginning of a return to common sense.
Jackbooted Thugs: The Ontario Provincial Police
While almost every municipal police force in Ontario rejects Doug Ford’s tyrannical measures, one police force can always be counted on to strap on the jackboots and stomp them on the necks of mere citizens.
OPP will be enforcing new measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 virus and variants. Strict measures at provincial borders and limitations on outdoor recreational activity.
More at covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-rest#StayHome #StaySafe
Don says
Does it not make you stop and stare in complete bewilderment when forces show backbone or logic?? Except the disgusting out of control OPP of course. They are ‘trained.’
Christopher di Armani says
Yes it does, Don. I was stunned when I read the report from the London Police Services Board. Then I kept searching. Truly an astonishing day where I simply must commend every one of those municipal police services for standing up and telling Ontario’s High Priest of COVID to pound sand.
Don says
Good work Chris. Without you we would never have known about some GOOD police….
Dave says
From experience, regional police forces are liars until proven innocent.
Christopher di Armani says
Perhaps, Dave, but their stand forced the tyrannical Ford government to back down within 24 hours. If you’re referring to the OPP, they’ve always behaved this way, but I’ll take the stand of 43 municipal police agencies at face value until proven otherwise. It shows their willingness to disobey an illegal/unconstitutional order, and that’s a good thing.