Toronto's police and fire chiefs were seen arm in arm in a private box at the World Series—but their representatives refuse to say why they were there.
While paramedic and emergency management executives have confirmed their presence at the Rogers Centre for the Swift concerts and the World Series, Toronto Police and Fire Services remain silent. Despite a freedom-of-information request asking for dates, both departments have stalled. Fire Services argued the chief's duties make his presence exempt, and they can't produce a list. Police haven't responded at all—even though law requires an answer by March.
Social media tells a different story. Photos show Chief Myron Demkiw meeting concertgoers in November 2024, and later arm in arm with Fire Chief Jim Jessop at a private box overlooking the field. A video from Game 6 shows Demkiw walking through stadium rooms, including a private box with prepared food. The view matches photos of the two chiefs together.
Sources say Jessop was in that private box on multiple dates, sometimes with the city's emergency management boss Joanna Beaven-Desjardins. She attended four Swift shows and two World Series games. The Blue Jays and Rogers have ignored requests for comment.
The City of Toronto won't say whether emergency executives were on duty, whether they broke any rules, or if they were paid overtime. Instead, officials point to provincial protocols that allow a single incident commander to direct operations remotely—but no one will say who filled that role during these events.
And then there's the ethics question. If the food, drinks, and luxury box access were provided free, it could violate the city's own rules against accepting gifts that might influence duties. Remarkably, Chief Jessop sent a memo about that very bylaw just a month after the World Series—a copy leaked to journalists. It warns staff not to accept anything that could appear to influence performance.
Toronto Police were also asked about potential conflicts, including a highly publicized motorcade for Taylor Swift that closed the Gardiner Expressway. They haven't answered a single question. The public is left with a tantalizing mystery: what were the top emergency chiefs doing in that private box—and who picked up the tab?
