In a pointed critique of Ontario's justice system, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has publicly blamed provincial Crown prosecutors for failing to rein in a persistent wave of anti-Israel demonstrations and disorder. The chief's comments, detailed in a letter obtained by Postmedia, highlight a growing rift between law enforcement and the courts over how to handle protests that have cost the police service millions and, according to community leaders, targeted Jewish neighbourhoods.
Mounting Costs and Dropped Charges
In his correspondence with the Province of Ontario, Chief Demkiw revealed that the Toronto Police Service has expended a staggering more than $42 million responding to over 800 anti-Israel demonstrations and blockades since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Despite this massive operational commitment, police efforts to lay charges for offences like mischief, intimidation, or hate speech have largely been thwarted by the Crown.
"Just recently, once again, charges were withdrawn by provincial Crown Attorneys against nine protesters arrested at the beginning of October," Demkiw wrote. He expressed clear frustration, telling Postmedia that his investigators do not lay charges lightly and that "there is a frustration" when so few proceed to prosecution.
High-Profile Cases Dismissed
The letter cites specific examples where alleged offenders faced no legal consequences. One notable case involved five anti-Israel activists who disrupted the Giller Prize gala just weeks after the October 7 attacks. The group allegedly used forged documents to gain entry before repeatedly interrupting the event, screaming slogans and accusing organizers of complicity in genocide.
Although police laid charges, including criminal mischief, Crown prosecutors dropped all of them, with the final charges being withdrawn in September 2024. This pattern, Demkiw argues, undermines police authority and emboldens further unlawful behaviour.
Protests in the Heart of a Jewish Community
A significant portion of police resources has been directed at weekly demonstrations at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, the core of one of Canada's most densely populated Jewish neighbourhoods. These protests have featured participants dressed as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and masked flag-bearers marching through residential streets. A nearby overpass was also occupied for weeks in 2024, with demonstrators occasionally blocking traffic to perform public Islamic prayers.
As Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman noted in November, "the only reason to show up in this neighbourhood mostly masked up is to intimidate Jews where they live." Community leaders and politicians have repeatedly pointed out that the location is not near any Israeli diplomatic mission. Demkiw's letter states that Crown attorneys have consistently informed officers that actions at this site do not "meet the legal threshold for criminal charges."
This public airing of grievances between police and prosecutors represents a broader debate in Canada about the balance between lawful protest, public order, and the perceived effectiveness of the justice system in holding offenders accountable. The Toronto Police Service's claim of a $42 million price tag underscores the significant financial and operational burden these ongoing demonstrations have placed on municipal resources.
