Krista Ford Haynes Seeks Public Support for Husband's Legal Battle Against Toronto Police Service

Krista Ford Haynes, the eldest daughter of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, has launched an online fundraiser in an effort to finance legal support for her husband's disciplinary battle with the Toronto Police Service (TPS).

In an emotional video posted to social media on Monday, Krista pleads through tears for public support to fund outside legal counsel for her husband Dave Haynes, a 22-year staff sergeant with TPS.

"I know in my heart that what has transpired over the last year between my husband and his employer, the Toronto Police Service, is not right," she said without providing specific details. "I don't have confidence that he'll be given a fair hearing or investigation based on our unique political affiliation among other bona fide reasons."

"In the last four years, my husband has been sent home on unpaid leave for seven months," Krista added. "Furthering this, he spent four months off unpaid last year because his PTSD was severely triggered."

In November 2021, the premier's son-in-law was one of more than 200 Toronto police members who were placed on unpaid leave for not complying with the service's vaccine mandate.

The policy requiring vaccination for COVID-19 was dropped less than a year later and employees were eventually welcomed back to work. However, since then, Krista says her husband has faced "serious allegations" as a result of "trying to be transparent about a safe working environment."

"While we've been eagerly seeking a fair opportunity to publicly explain his actions to avoid these allegations going public, the service offered a deal instead of proceeding with the trial," Krista added. "Not being able to fairly grieve your employer for wrongful actions is a very serious concern to us, and the fact that his association is encouraging him to drop the grievance and take the deal shows me enough that they cannot provide us with fair, unbiased representation."

As of Tuesday evening, the couple had raised nearly $15,000 through the online crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe, with a goal of $100,000. A description of the campaign says the funds will go towards outside legal counsel, which the Toronto Police Association refused to finance, according to Krista.

"We believe that procedural fairness based on political bias is at stake and I have some serious concerns for the way my husband is being treated," she said. "My husband needs your help."

Haynes is scheduled to appear before a disciplinary tribunal on February 25.