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Democracy Watch calls on Ontario Integrity Commissioner to investigate appointment of new OPP Commissioner

Posted on by Bradford

If Premier Ford participated in or tried to influence any part of the appointment process, he violated the provincial government ethics law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 4, 2018

OTTAWA – Democracy Watch released the letter it sent today to Ontario Integrity Commissioner David Wake calling on him to investigate whether Premier Ford participated in or tried to influence any step of the process that led to the appointment of his close friend Ron Taverner as the new Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The appointment raises questions about whether Premier Ford participated in or tried to influence: the choice or decisions of the executive search firm that searched for candidates for the position; the choice or decisions of civil servants who were on the selection committee that reviewed candidates, or; the Cabinet’s decision to approve Mr. Taverner as Commissioner.

The search firm’s contract could give the Cabinet the power to direct its search, and if any deputy ministers served on the selection committee then they, along with all Cabinet ministers, would share Premier Ford’s appearance of bias in favour of his close friend Mr. Taverner, given that they all serve at Premier Ford’s pleasure and could be fired or demoted by him at any time for any reason.

Sections 2 and 4 of the provincial Members’ Integrity Act prohibit provincial politicians from participating in or trying to influence any decision that could further their own interests or improperly further another person’s interests.

“If Premier Ford participated in any step of the process that led to his friend Mr. Taverner being appointed OPP Commissioner, then he violated the province’s government ethics law, and that’s why the Integrity Commissioner needs to investigate,” said Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch
Tel: (613) 241-5179 Cell: 416-546-3443
[email protected]

Democracy Watch’s Government Ethics Campaign and Stop Bad Government Appointments Campaign