Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner is defending proposed legislation that would give the province more authority to direct police boards on provincial priorities.
Kerzner says the powers included in Bill 119 would help align local policing priorities with provincial concerns such as illegal guns and drug activity in communities.
Critics, including Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, say they are concerned about the province having expanded influence over police direction.
The proposed legislation would also introduce new powers for transit officers, ban future purchases of Chinese-made drones and create a public registry for high-risk offenders being released from custody.
