Toronto's police chief is standing by the use of Tasers by his officers, despite the controversial death of a man at Vancouver's airport.
  
Robert Dziekanski, 40, died minutes after being zapped by a Taser at the airport on Oct. 14.
  
Police were called because he had been acting strangely after spending about 10 hours waiting in vain to meet his mother.
  
Toronto Chief Bill Blair said that, with proper training of officers and in the right circumstances, Tasers can save the lives of police and suspects.

"Unfortunately, when an individual is emotionally disturbed and in a crisis situation, they may often represent a significant danger to themselves and to others," he said. "And in those circumstances, our procedures do indicate its use in order to disable the individual from hurting themselves or others — and it's been done very effectively."

Blair said that of the 230 times Tasers were used in Toronto this year, there was not a single serious injury.
  
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says the RCMP is reviewing Taser use and that a report is being prepared. He says he is waiting to see that report before commenting on the Vancouver incident.