Ontario Attorney General Douglas Downey announced Thursday that the province is investing over $400,000 to combat crime in Toronto. The funding comes from the 2026-2028 Civil Remedies Grant Program, which allocates a total of $5 million across the province using cash and proceeds seized from criminals.
Funding for Bail Compliance Unit
An investment of up to $200,000 will support Toronto Police in establishing a Centralized Bail Compliance Unit focused on high-risk offenders, including those charged with intimate partner violence, firearms offences, and human trafficking. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw highlighted the increasing need for such measures, noting that bail compliance checks have risen significantly in recent years. In 2024, police conducted 17,469 checks; in 2025, that number grew to 24,399; and so far in 2026, 10,278 checks have been completed, representing a 40% increase compared to the same period last year. Demkiw stated that the new funding will help better coordinate bail enforcement efforts.
Support for Victim Services
Another investment of up to $200,000 will go to Victim Services Toronto to support a survivor-led initiative aimed at strengthening Ontario’s justice response to human trafficking. Eglinton-Lawrence MPP Michelle Cooper explained that the program will deliver survivor-informed training to more than 300 justice professionals, providing an in-depth analysis of human trafficking patterns. Carly Kalish, CEO of Toronto Victim Services, added that the organization supports about 500 human trafficking survivors annually, tailoring services to individual needs.
Prevention Program for Intimate Partner Violence
A third investment of up to $10,602 will go to Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto’s “Strength at Home” program, which aims to reduce abusive behaviours among individuals involved in intimate partner and family violence. Cooper noted that the funding will enable the training of 13 new staff members and expand group-based prevention programming, helping to break cycles of violence by addressing root causes and promoting healthier relationships.
Overall, the 2026-28 Civil Remedies Grant Program is distributing $5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to assist 27 law enforcement agencies, including Toronto Police, as well as community and Indigenous organizations across Ontario.
