New Counter Terrorism Unit, Task Force
In response to an evolving security landscape, the Toronto Police Service has established a new Counter-Terrorism Security Unit to strengthen its ability to detect, prevent and respond to emerging threats as well as task force to enhance police visibility.
“As you know, tensions around the world are extremely high right now,” Chief Myron Demkiw said at a news conference at police headquarters on March 24. “As the biggest municipal police service in Canada, we are operating within an increasingly volatile national security environment. Global conflicts, extremist ideologies, online radicalization, hostile foreign actors and heightened polarization are realities that impact both our work and the sense of safety in our communities.”
Demkiw noted that the Intelligence Services Security Section experienced sustained and increased demand last year related to counter-terrorism, extremism, public order and hate-motivated incidents.
“Addressing this demand required significant resources,” he said, pointing to recent incidents in Toronto, including shootings at synagogues and the U.S. Consulate, as well as attacks in countries such as Australia and the United States and the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The new unit will function as a rapid-response hub, enhancing how the Service shares intelligence and collaborates with partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
“With this unit, we will substantially increase the resources dedicated to countering terrorism and violent extremism, supported by robust analytical capacity and dedicated leadership,” Demkiw said. “This will be a new standalone unit.”
Part of that proactive approach includes the launch of Task Force Guardian.
“We know that visible police presence matters when it comes to deterring violence and reassuring our communities,” Demkiw added. “As part of Task Force Guardian, Torontonians can expect to see Toronto Police officers deployed with tactical capabilities, including patrol rifles. If you see these officers, whether around places of worship or tourist hubs, it does not mean there is an imminent threat. What it means is that we are strategically positioning resources to protect our communities and respond quickly if necessary. These measures are informed by best practices and lessons learned from our partners around the world.”
Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said Task Force Guardian will operate alongside the new unit and other specialized teams, including Emergency Management and Public Order.
“The deployment will be intelligence-driven and focused on strategic locations across the city,” he said, noting the task force will use existing officers and equipment. “These may include community centres, places of worship, critical infrastructure, high-traffic public spaces and tourist attractions. The goal is not to alarm the public, but to enhance safety through a visible and measured policing approach.”
Barredo added that the initiative is designed to deter attacks, build public confidence and ensure a rapid-response capability.
He also emphasized that the new unit does not replace Project Resolute, which was launched in response to heightened tensions following the October 7, 2023 conflict in the Middle East.
“Our community engagement efforts will continue,” he said, noting that officers have made more than 113,000 visits to community centres, schools and places of worship over the past two and a half years.
Barredo said Task Force Guardian will be launched in the next few days.
With the emergence of the Counter-Terrorism Security Unit, Chief Superintendent Katherine Stephenson underscored that jurisdictional responsibilities remain unchanged.
She said national security investigations will continue to be led by the RCMP, in partnership with the OPP’s Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section and the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team.
“The Toronto Police already work collaboratively with these partners in a joint-forces environment, and our new unit will complement these existing partnerships,” she said. “We are uniquely positioned as the local police jurisdiction to understand community needs and risks, given our knowledge of the city’s communities and criminal networks. We have found that many public safety threats fall below the threshold of terrorism but still pose serious risks and require specialized attention and criminal investigations.”
Stephenson said having a specialized unit focused on proactively detecting, preventing and disrupting terrorism and violent extremism in Toronto is absolutely necessary, given the current global context and the potential local impacts of international events.
“It will make our responses and investigations more coordinated and efficient,” she said. “It will also allow us to build and sustain expertise in this area. “Building on our existing framework, we will expand in a phased approach, beginning with leadership positions and subject matter experts to build the unit over the coming weeks and months.”
