Ontario AG backs police over Ministry watchdog

Author: Jesse Lobdell

The Ontario Attorney General has withdrawn legal support for the Special Investigation Unit’s case against Ontario Provincial Police officers that may set a precedent ending the transfer of information between officers through shared legal counsel. The SIU has argued that by allowing officers to share a lawyer, they are able to compare their stories before being questioned by the SIU. The Attorney General stated that his decision to withdraw legal support stems from a conflict in representing both the SIU and police, even though it is the Solicitor General that oversees police.

The SIU is a shining beacon of independent oversight compared to other jurisdictions in Canada. Only Manitoba has made a move to adopt the model which disallows police from investigating themselves in in-custody deaths and other serious incidents.

Read the article in the Star.

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Jun

3

2009

Brother of Dudley George dies of cancer

Author: Jesse Lobdell

This week’s death of Sam George is a grim reminder of the tragic death of his brother, Dudley George.  In 1995, Dudley George was shot during a protest by Ontario Provincial Police officer Sgt. Kenneth Deane.  Dudley George was unarmed.  Sgt. Deane was convicted two years later of criminal negligence causing death.

After the death of his brother, Sam George pushed for a public inquiry.  Dalton McGuinty made the inquiry an election promise in 2003.  The inquiry was called one month after the election, and Commissioner Sidney B. Linden’s report was released May 31, 2007.  The Ipperwash Inquiry found that the OPP, the government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris and the federal government all bore responsibility for Dudley George’s death. Premier Harris, in particular, was instrumental in creating an antagonistic atmosphere and ruling out a peaceful end to the occupation favoured by the OPP and civil servants.

Sam George led a distinguished life advocating for the rights of Aboriginal peoples and working to improve relations between Aboriginals, Metis and non-aboriginals in Canada.

Check out the article on Sam George in The Province and CBC’s article on the Ipperwash Inquiry.

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