Ottawa police union endorses Conservative Party of Canada ahead of federal election

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

The Ottawa Police Association (OPA) says it has determined the Conservative Party of Canada has the most suitable plan to support law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, citing public safety.

“The Conservative Party has demonstrated a clear and actionable strategy to address the challenges faced by our officers and to ensure safer streets for all Canadians. Over and over, we have observed violent crime on the rise in Ottawa and other major Canadian cities,” said the OPA in a news release Saturday.

“Public safety must remain a top priority for any government.”

The decision comes following a “thorough review” of all parties’ platforms and policy commitments to ensure public safety, support law enforcement and improve community security, the union says.

The assessment process was done through a questionnaire to all party leaders, responding to questions about investments in policing, including commitments to tackle organized crime and support for victims, bail reform and support for first responders, reads the release.

Canada’s largest municipal police union, the Toronto Police Association, also endorsed the Conservatives. On Tuesday, it said in a post on X that the Conservative Party “has maintained a strong position on public safety issues and proactively supported police services.”

CTV News Ottawa has reached out to the Liberal and NDP parties for comments.

So far this year, Ottawa has seen 10 homicides, one attempted murder and 1,260 assaults, according to the Ottawa Police Service’s crime map.

The federal election takes place on Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press