July 30, 2024, Mississauga, Ont. – The Ontario government is investing $134 million to purchase five new police helicopters for use in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa, to fight against car thieves and organized crime. Said to be equipped with the latest technology, the use of the helicopters will keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing and impaired driving.
The Ontario Provincial Police will acquire two new H135 helicopters to support the Ottawa and Toronto Police Services. In addition, Durham, Halton and Peel Regional Police Services will procure, own and operate three helicopters to support current patrols and improve response times, all as part of a new Joint Air Support Unit.
“This is a monumental investment that will provide much needed support to our officers and help them do the difficult work they do every day to enhance community safety,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah during the event. “The addition of these helicopters is a great example of what can be accomplished when police services and the provincial government work together to help improve police response and safety for everyone.”
The investment was included in the 2024 Ontario Budget and builds on the province’s $51 million investment to support the OPP’s Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team and Ontario’s Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team, the government said in a press release.
“Our government is making the necessary investments to ensure that police services have the tools and resources they need to crack down on auto theft and car thieves,” said Premier Doug Ford. “From implementing new technologies and innovative policing strategies to tackling guns and gangs and getting more boots on the ground, we’ll do whatever it takes to put the criminals behind bars and keep our communities safe.”
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