Today, counsel for the Toronto Police Association and the family of Constable Todd Baylis wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney and others demanding reform of the parole system after experiencing serious concerns relating to Clinton Gayle’s fourth hearing in front of the Parole Board of Canada.
In June 1994, Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis, 25, was shot and killed execution style by Gayle. The offender also shot and seriously injured Baylis’s partner, Constable Mike Leone.
Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis
At the time, Gayle had prior convictions, was under a final deportation order and was subject to a firearms prohibition. During his trial, the judge described Gayle as “a gun-toting crack dealer who displays a brazen contempt for the law and those who enforce it.” The judge also stated, “he is incapable of remorse. The likelihood of recidivism…approaches virtual certainty.”
Gayle was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder; he was sentenced to two life sentences without eligibility for parole for 25 years.
However, years later, the Parole Board of Canada continues to retraumatize victims while accommodating a convicted murderer who killed and seriously injured two Toronto Police officers.
Since his incarceration – now at a minimum-security facility in British Columbia – Gayle has appeared before the Parole Board of Canada three times, including two parole hearings and one Escorted Temporary Absences hearing. He has never shown remorse. He has never taken responsibility for his actions. He has repeatedly changed his story.
For yet another time, pleas from the victim’s family were ignored when asked to delay an upcoming hearing by a modest four weeks to accommodate travel across the country. The Parole Board of Canada has chosen to move forward with just two weeks’ notice.
“The existing parole system is a joke and repeatedly revictimizes those who live with this trauma every day,” said TPA President Clayton Campbell. “This year, we have experienced so much grief as a police family, and this ongoing insult from the Parole Board is just a slap in the face to Todd’s family, Mike, and every member of the Toronto Police.”
“To think that someone who has shown such utter contempt for policing and civil society could be walking free, should be concerning to every Canadian,” Campbell continued. “The time to deport this criminal was before he executed one police officer and attempted to murder another. The only acceptable place for him now is a prison cell.”
The TPA was initially notified in January 2026 of Gayle’s application for day parole and that the review would be held in secret. In February, an appeal for an in-person hearing was submitted, with follow-ups in March and April.
Despite reassurances from the Parole Board that “timely” notice of a hearing would be given, the TPA were advised on Friday, July 10, of an in-person hearing scheduled for July 30 in British Columbia, with Victim Impact Statements due July 16.
In response to such rushed and inconsiderate demands, Cory Baylis, Todd’s brother, said, “It’s been 32 years since Clinton Gayle violated the rights of my brother and my family. Now we sit here, 32 years later, and those rights continue to be violated by a governmental system that seeks to give all the rights to the criminal while simultaneously ignoring the rights of victims. It is laughable and an insult to the sacrifices we have made. We deserve better.”
Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis and his brother Cory
In light of these developments, the Toronto Police Association is asking the Prime Minister, members of his Cabinet, and officials with the Parole Board of Canada three simple questions:
- Pending legislative changes, will you provide the Parole Board of Canada with immediate guidance to accommodate victims’ requests going forward, ensuring adequate notice to attend and participate fully in parole hearings?
- Will you hold Clinton Gayle accountable, as per his life sentence, and rescind his deportation order, thereby keeping him under some supervision and accountability should he be granted parole now or in the future?
- Will you work with us on real parole system reform, including but not limited to the recommendations we presented in our meeting with Minister Anandasangaree and Secretary of State Ruby Sahota in March 2026?
These recommendations include:
- Create a separate parole system for the small percentage of inmates who have been convicted of first-degree murder or multiple murder, including serial killers, sexual sadists, and those who murder police officers
- This system would extend parole ineligibility to 35 years at the time of sentencing, with the option to apply in writing to the Court for a reduction after 25 years
- Parole hearings will occur once every five years, rather than every 18 months to two years, if the offender has been denied parole or their parole has been revoked, with the option to apply for an earlier hearing
- Ensure Parole Board decisions for unescorted temporary absences are available to the public, and all parole decisions are available publicly on a searchable database.
- Eliminate ‘paper review’ hearings, and allow victims or their representatives to attend virtually
- Require the Board to consider the victim(s) availability to attend a hearing where they indicate a desire to participate by reading a Victim Impact Statement
- Provide victims or their representatives with audio recordings and transcripts of hearings, as is the case for every other judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding
- Explicitly state that the Corrections and Conditional Release Act be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
“Our position on justice and public safety matters has been consistent and clear: we believe in second chances and in reform and rehabilitation for most people,” concluded Campbell.
“However, we must have systems in place to keep repeat violent offenders in custody. Whether that’s bail, sentencing, or parole, there are just some people who do not deserve to be out of prison, including anyone who murders a police officer.”
The full letter can be read here.
The Toronto Police Association represents almost 9,000 police and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service. We are a professional organization dedicated to advancing the interests of our members through education, political action, and legislative advocacy. We operate in an open, ethical, and professional manner and strive to promote professionalism and accountability within the ranks of our members. Our foremost priority is the wellbeing of our members and the community we serve.
For More Information:
Meaghan Gray
Chief Communications Officer, Toronto Police Association
mgray@tpa.ca | 647-530-8911