Mayor Steven Del Duca: “Fix the system. Fix it now.”

Mayor calls on Federal and Provincial governments for urgent bail system reform

Mayor Steven Del Duca issued the following statement today after a press conference regarding the home invasion and murder of Abdul Aleem Farooqi and Mayor Del Duca's calls for urgent change to Canada's criminal justice system: 

“Over the weekend, Abdul Aleem Farooqi was killed in front of his wife and children during a home invasion in Vaughan. A spouse is now grieving. Children are now without their dad. This is heartbreaking beyond words. No parent, no family and no community should ever have to live through such horror.

“As Mayor, I am furious. I am disgusted. And I am tired of excuses. These tragedies are not random acts of fate. They are the direct result of a criminal justice and bail system in this country that continues to let all of us down – a system that rewards repeat violent offenders with freedom instead of punishment and puts communities in danger. It is a catastrophic failure of public policy that too many leaders have lacked the courage to fix.

“Vaughan Council has demanded action on bail reform. We were not alone. Police Chiefs and Councils across the country echoed that call. And yes, the Federal government put bail reform on its agenda. But let’s be honest: the changes have not worked. They have not restored safety. They have not stopped tragedies like the one that just shattered a family in our community. Canadians deserve better.

“The solutions are obvious: tougher bail laws for repeat violent offenders and a justice system that puts victims and communities first. 

“Specifically, I am calling on the Prime Minister to show leadership and to urgently overhaul the system, in partnership with the provinces and municipalities, so that our residents are kept safe and feel safe. 

“These are not radical ideas. They are common sense.

“Here in Vaughan, at the municipal level, we have done what we can. We opened two York Regional Police substations, one in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and one in Kleinburg, to strengthen our police presence. We approved a $441.5-million York Regional Police budget for 2025, a 7.7 per cent increase from 2024, which will lead directly to the hiring of 154 additional YRP staff in 2025 and 150 in 2026. We have done everything we can to back up our words with resources.

“But none of it will matter if violent offenders are released within hours of being caught. None of it will matter if courts are forced to hand them bail because the law is written to protect criminals more than victims. Cities can invest in police, communities can rally together, but Ottawa and Queen’s Park must collaborate to fix the core problem. If they don’t, we will always be fighting with one hand tied behind our backs.

“We cannot budget our way out of this. We cannot hire enough officers to compensate for a system broken at its foundation. Until the system changes and criminals are kept behind bars where they belong, more families will suffer. More lives will be lost.

“Enough is enough. Canadians demand real action — not symbolic gestures, not cosmetic changes, not bureaucratic talking points. Real action.

“Fix the system. Fix it now.”

QUICK FACTS

• Mayor Del Duca advocated for bail reform starting in January 2023, with further advocacy, including a Member’s Resolution brought forward to Vaughan City Council in December 2024, joining police chiefs and municipalities nationwide.
• York Region approved a $441.5-million York Regional Police (YRP) budget for 2025, a 7.7 per cent increase from 2024, funding 154 new YRP staff in 2025 and 150 in 2026.

• Two new York Regional Police substations have opened in Vaughan — one in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and one in Kleinburg.

   

LEARN MORE

• Dec. 3, 2024 Member’s Resolution calling on the Federal government to fix the broken catch-and-release bail system
• Jan. 23, 2024 Member’s Resolution identifying bail reform as a critical city-building priority for the community
• Letter from Mayor Del Duca to Prime Minister Trudeau calling for bail reform