York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween faced backlash after suggesting that residents should "just comply" during a home invasion. His comments, made during a news conference on September 3, followed a fatal incident involving a Vaughan resident, Abdul Aleem Farooqi, who was killed during a home invasion on August 31.

Farooqi, a 46-year-old father, reportedly confronted three intruders while trying to protect his family. The tragic event has heightened concerns about home safety in the community.

In response to MacSween's advice, several American actors criticized his stance. Kevin Sorbo, known for his role as Hercules in the 1990s television series, called out the chief directly in a post on X, stating, "Your best defense is to just comply." His post has garnered nearly 7 million views and 20,000 reposts.

Dean Cain, famous for portraying Superman in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," also weighed in. He shared a video contrasting MacSween's comments with those of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd from Florida. Judd's remarks emphasized the right to defend oneself, stating, "If you value your life, you probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County, because the people of Polk County like guns." Cain's repost received over 1 million views and nearly 2,000 comments.

Following the criticism, MacSween issued a statement on September 5, acknowledging the public's reaction. He expressed understanding of the "pain and anger" felt in the community and clarified that his advice was not politically motivated. He emphasized that citizens should ultimately do what they believe is necessary to ensure their safety and that of their loved ones.

The controversy has also drawn attention from Canadian political figures. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the police chief's message, asserting that the law should allow individuals to defend their homes and families. He is advocating for changes to Canadian law to permit the use of deadly force against home intruders.

In addition to the Farooqi case, another incident in late August involved a child under five being sexually assaulted during a home invasion in Welland, Ontario, further intensifying discussions about home safety and self-defense rights in Canada.