Mayor Tory, police board chair open to meeting with 2SLGBTQ+ advocates opposed to new chief hiring

Toronto Mayor John Tory and Jim Hart, Chair of the Police Services Board, say they are prepared to meet and discuss concerns raised by 2SLGBTQ+ advocates to the appointment of Myron Demkiw as the city’s new police chief.

Demkiw was appointed last month to replace interim chief James Ramer. He is scheduled to assume the role on December 19.

A group representing women affected by a bathhouse raid in September 2000 are opposed to the appointment because of Demkiw’s involvement in the operation.

In an open letter sent to Tory and Hart on October 11, Chanelle Gallant and JP Hornick, who were original members of the Toronto Women’s Bathhouse Committee, say Demkiw was one of the officers responsible for the planning and execution of a raid on a queer event at the Pussy Palace more than two decades ago. According to the letter, Demkiw identified himself on the night of the raid as a member of “the morality squad.”

In a court case that followed, Justice Peter Hryn found the raid violated the Charter rights of attendees, describing the officers’ conduct as “bringing the administration of justice into disrepute.” What followed was a settlement at the Ontario Human Rights Commission, police reforms, and a public apology from the Toronto Police Service in 2016.

“Mr. Demkiw was also among the officers who then sued a sitting city councillor for speaking up in our defence, and was involved in a series of additional raids on queer spaces that same year,” wrote Gallant and Hornick. “This was not an isolated incident nor a momentary lapse in judgement.”

Tory tells CityNews he does not recall the raid being brought up during discussions with the police board during the appointment process for Demkiw.

“What was discussed, at length, was his incredible track record over the last 20 years as being a person who brings people together, who is very much in favour of modernizing policing, and who is a person throughout his professional career who has shown respect for all Torontonians,” said Tory.

The letter also claims Demkiw has also been involved in task forces that conducted surveillance and raids in “predominantly Black neighbourhoods.”

“In the 22 years since the Pussy Palace raid, annual Toronto police budgets have doubled, from $550 million to $1.1 billion. And yet we see no evidence that the city has become safer for LGBTQ2S people – or for anyone,” the letter reads. “They looked away while a serial killer preyed on gay men and trans women went missing. And yet, you have appointed Mr. Demkiw to lead the police at this time.”

There was no mention of when the meeting would take place but both Hart and Tory stated in their response that Demkiw has requested being part of the meeting to specifically address matters raised by the women.

On Friday, Gallant acknowledged that Hart reached out to them about a private meeting but she called on both men to commit to a public meeting “where the community can be heard.”

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In making the announcement about the hiring, Hart said Demkiw was a dedicated public servant and relationship-builder “committed to building and enhancing trust with the diverse communities we serve.”

Tory called Demkiw a respected policing expert who brings with him a “determined commitment to keeping our city as one of the safest major cities in the world.”