Tory aims to rebuild LGBTQ ties with police

The case of accused killer Bruce McArthur prompted many questions and increased concern from Toronto’s LGBTQ community. A series of deaths and disappearances has created a level of distrust of the city’s police, and Mayor John Tory wants to talk about it.

“I think there’s never anything more valuable than sitting down and talking,” said Tory on a phone interview Sunday.

But those conversations will be limited by an ongoing investigation into McArthur, who was arrested and charged with two counts of firstdegree murder last week.

Police allege he is responsible for the deaths of Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esem, and possibly other people.

“We probably won’t have as complete an answer as we need until the court case is over,” Tory said.

“I think it will be frustrating for all of us . . . to not to be able to provide answers to all those questions right now just because that could jeopardize the continuing investigation and the trial.”

A big question is why police announced in December that there was no serial killer targeting the Gay Village, only to arrest McArthur a month later.

“There’s a difference between those two statements obviously, but the real question is what happened in between to bring about that change?” Tory asked.

“Police investigations happen on a day-by-day basis. Things change, you find out information you didn’t know the day before.”

Tory wants to ensure that the city’s LGBTQ community does not feel neglected, and rebuild a relationship with the police. “The most important thing when it comes to the job of police is for them to maintain the confidence of the public, he said”