NDP Leader Tom Mulcair brought his Campaign for Change to Surrey, where he announced his plan for safer communities through investment in more frontline police officers.

“It’s boots on the ground that fight crime, not empty Conservative promises,” said Mulcair. “Stephen Harper’s plan is failing and despite years of his ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric, the number of police officers in Canada has been on the decline.”

This past spring, Prime Minister Harper promised the people of Surrey an additional 100 RCMP officers to help address the city’s increasing concerns over guns and gang violence, but he has failed to deliver. This is on top of him walking away from his commitment for up to 2,500 more officers for communities across Canada.

To help police protect our communities, an NDP government will work with provinces, territories, municipalities and First Nations to provide stable, ongoing funding to put 2,500 new officers on the streets and keep them there. To achieve this goal, the NDP will re-establish the Police Officer Recruitment Fund that was cancelled by Stephen Harper, with a $250 million investment over the next four fiscal-years, followed by permanent ongoing funding of $100 million annually.

Mulcair was joined by Garry Begg, a former senior RCMP officer in Surrey and the NDP candidate for Fleetwood – Port Kells. Begg is a veteran of the force and has worked tirelessly over 38 years to protect residents in Surrey and to ensure community safety.

“Stephen Harper’s plan isn’t working. He’s leaving Canadians at risk by failing to deliver on his promise of more police officers,” said Mulcair.