Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique is seen speaking at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (The Canadian Press)
Canada’s top police representative says current laws can’t keep up with modern crime. Thomas Carrique, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, says outdated legislation leaves police without the tools they need to tackle cross-border crime. He argues that many current rules were designed decades ago and don’t reflect today’s globalized threats.
Carrique says if Ottawa had listened to police recommendations back in 2001, law enforcement would be in a stronger position to stop organized crime before it harms Canadians.
Growing Threat from Global Instability
Carrique warns that international instability and unrest are fuelling new public safety threats in Canada. Police face challenges like organized crime, drug smuggling, human trafficking, online exploitation, and illegal weapons trade. He says these groups exploit gaps in the law and digital platforms to operate freely.
“Whether it’s human smuggling or drug trafficking, criminals are using loopholes to harm Canadians,” Carrique said.
Strong Borders Act Not Enough
The federal government’s Strong Borders Act promises new tools to fight fentanyl trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime. Carrique says it’s a good start, but it still leaves key gaps unaddressed.
One major loophole allows criminals to send dangerous drugs by mail in packages under 500 grams without the risk of a police search warrant. “A package that small could hold enough fentanyl to kill many people,” he warned.
Push for Bail Reform
Carrique repeated his call for tougher bail rules. The federal government has promised a bill this fall that will include stricter bail and sentencing measures. He says this step is critical to keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak supports the change. He says a recent downtown crackdown led to 16 arrests in two days — but several suspects were rearrested shortly after being released. “There must be consequences and deterrence for daily offenders,” Manak said.
Crime Rates Down, But Concerns Remain
Carrique admits that national crime rates fell in 2024, with the Crime Severity Index down by 4.1 per cent. He credits police and social services for the progress. But he says statistics don’t tell the full story.
“People are still being victimized,” Carrique said. “It’s not enough to tell communities crime is down. We must ensure they feel safe and trust the system.”
