Ford must revoke powers that allow random police stops

April 17, 2021

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to Premier Ford’s plan to increase police powers:

“We can’t police our way out of a pandemic. We need to support and care for people, not police them.

Doug Ford must revoke the sweeping powers announced yesterday that would allow police to randomly stop individuals in the guise of enforcing the stay-at-home order.

Carding will not stop the spread of COVID-19. It will disproportionately affect people of colour and those in the most vulnerable situations.

15 police forces and counting have announced that they will not be conducting these random stops.

The government must immediately reverse the Premier’s decision to allow random police stops.

Instead of focusing on carding and stronger police powers, the Premier needs to step up and help essential workers with paid sick days and other measures to protect essential workers from COVID-19.”

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