OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 19, 2010) - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, delivered the opening address today at the Canadian Police Association's Annual General Meeting, outlining the Government of Canada's law enforcement priorities.

The Minister announced on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, a major investment in skills development to assist in succession planning for senior police positions.

"Our government is proud to partner with the Police Sector Council to help Canadian police services renew the leadership of our law enforcement communities," said Minister Toews. "We are committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to prevent and solve crimes to make our communities safe."

"The Government of Canada's investment in the Policing Leadership Framework project highlights the importance of skills development to all Canadians," added Minister Finley.

Geoff Gruson, Executive Director of the Police Sector Council commented, "The Police Sector Council is delighted to receive federal government support for a new research project to identify the leadership competencies required for today's policing and to better develop tomorrow's leaders. Over the next 12 months, and through the guidance of a 24 person steering committee representing all the key stakeholders in policing, this project will examine existing practices and best practices nationally and internationally, and create a national police leadership framework and leadership development guides and reference materials of value to police services across Canada."

Minister Toews also listed some of the Government's major initiatives to keep our streets and communities safe, and noted that the Government has increased funding for Corrections Canada to ensure it has the resources necessary to do its job.

"We understand there is a cost to keeping dangerous criminals behind bars – and we're willing to pay it," said the Minister. "This Government will always make decisions based on what is needed to keep Canadians safe, and the protection of Canadians must come first. As victims have repeatedly told us, releasing criminals onto our streets early has a much higher cost than keeping criminals behind bars."

For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca or www.hrsdc.gc.ca.