TORONTO -- A former high-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer is suing Doug Ford for defamation, alleging the premier smeared his reputation for political gain.
Former deputy commissioner Brad Blair filed the $5 million lawsuit over comments made by the premier that Blair had violated the Police Services Act.
Ford's comments came after Blair asked the courts to force the provincial ombudsman to investigate the appointment of a long-time friend of the premier as OPP commissioner, raising concerns about political interference.
"Premier Ford made these defamatory remarks fully aware that the natural and probable consequence of making these defamatory statements would be the widespread re-publication by the Canadian media, which would be heard and viewed by millions," Blair's unproven statement of claim said.
The lawsuit further alleged that Ford's comments and the attention they received subjected Blair to "embarrassment, scandal, ridicule, and contempt," and were meant to intimidate the veteran officer.
The government has said that the decision earlier this month to fire Blair, who was also in the running for the commissioner post, came from the public service because it found his court filings in the ombudsman case contained confidential OPP information.
Blair's lawyer said his client never received notice of a complaint under the Police Services Act or any findings that he violated it, and alleged that the premier's words would lead an average person to believe Blair is someone who breaks the law.
"The premier's utterances receive close attention, are widely broadcast, and are more likely to be taken as the truth by the average person," the suit alleged.
Last month, Blair threatened to sue the premier if he did not apologize and retract the comments he made. The suit alleged Ford has made no effort to do so.
A spokesman for Ford said the premier will be responding to the suit through his legal counsel.
"As the matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further," Simon Jefferies said in a statement.
In December, Blair said OPP officers had expressed concerns the selection process that resulted in Toronto Supt. Ron Taverner's appointment as commissioner was unfair and could raise doubts about the force's independence.
Blair also suggested Taverner's appointment be delayed until an investigation could be conducted by the province's ombudsman.
After the ombudsman declined to investigate, Blair launched his legal challenge in an attempt to force the watchdog to probe the hiring of Taverner, who withdrew his name from consideration for the job earlier this month, citing the controversy surrounding his appointment.
Ontario's Divisional Court is expected to hear that case in April.
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/fired-opp-de ... -1.4354611
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Fired OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair sues Doug Ford for defamation
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Ousted OPP veteran Brad Blair sues Doug Ford for libel, alleges he was targeted in a ‘deliberate act of reprisal’
Fired police commander Brad Blair is suing Doug Ford for libel and slander, alleging the Progressive Conservative Premier “maliciously” ruined his reputation in a "deliberate act of reprisal.”
Mr. Blair filed a statement of claim against Mr. Ford in Ontario Superior Court on March 15.
Last fall, Mr. Blair was a deputy commissioner and interim leader of the Ontario Provincial Police, Canada’s second-largest police force. He was passed over for the top job by a government-selected hiring panel that picked a friend of the Premier.
The Progressive Conservative government’s Nov. 29 decision to appoint Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner led to a lingering controversy over the potential for politicized policing. Early this month, the government fired Mr. Blair from the OPP, the same week Supt. Taverner withdrew his candidacy for the job. The government has since appointed a new permanent police commissioner.
A spokesman for Mr. Ford said the Premier will respond to the statement of claim. "The Premier’s concern is, and always has been, protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities,” Simon Jefferies said.
A war of words broke out after the government announced the appointment of Supt. Taverner. In December, Mr. Blair launched a legal action in an attempt to force a review of the hiring process. He publicly alleged that “political interference and cronyism" could affect OPP operations.
In December and January, Mr. Ford suggested to reporters that Mr. Blair was motivated by spite and had violated the Police Services Act (PSA) by going public.
“It’s unfortunate that one person has sour grapes … and reacting the way he’s reacting and breaking the police act numerous times,” the Premier said in one televised interview. “Someone needs to hold him accountable, I can assure you that.”
The statement of claim points out that the Police Services Act (PSA) is an Ontario law that specifically exists to deal with allegations of police misconduct. It lays out legal processes that police institutions must undertake in any disciplinary investigation before making adverse findings. Officers found guilty of infractions can face serious sanctions, such as docked pay or dismissal.
This is a key point of the lawsuit, which argues that Mr. Ford’s statements would lead any average person to believe “that former Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair has been found to have committed misconduct under the PSA.”
Mr. Blair says in his statement of claim that to his knowledge, no such proceedings have been initiated against him. He asks the courts to order the Premier to compensate him with $5-million – $2-million in general damages, $1.5-million in punitive damages, and another $1.5-million in “exemplary and/or aggravated” damages.
“Premier Ford’s remarks are malicious in that the defamatory statements were meant to intimidate Mr. Blair, who was seeking a legitimate review of perceived and/or real political interference with the independent operations of the OPP," the statement of claim says. " … The plaintiff states the defamatory statements were a deliberate act of reprisal.”
The claim adds that, potentially, millions of people read or heard about Mr. Blair through the remarks of Mr. Ford, who “intentionally, deliberately and maliciously disseminated allegations of numerous violations of the PSA" in the media.
Mr. Blair served the Premier in January with a legal notice of his intent to sue. "To date, Premier Ford has not issued a full and final retraction of his remarks,” the statement of claim says.
No statement of defence has been filed, but the spokesman for the Premier said one is coming. “Premier Doug Ford will be responding to Mr. Blair’s filing through his legal counsel,” Mr. Jefferies said on Wednesday. “As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The libel suit is distinct from the legal action Mr. Blair launched in December. In that one, he is asking an Ontario divisional court to order the provincial ombudsman to review last fall’s hiring process. Last week, his lawyer, Julian Falconer, suggested a wrongful-dismissal suit may also be coming.
The Integrity Commissioner of Ontario, an independent watchdog, ruled last week after a months-long investigation that the hiring process that picked Supt. Taverner was “flawed" and “troubling."
Although he found no wrongdoing on the part of the Premier in the hiring process, Integrity Commissioner David Wake urged the government to commit to an independent, transparent process for appointing future OPP commissioners.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... llion-for/
Mr. Blair filed a statement of claim against Mr. Ford in Ontario Superior Court on March 15.
Last fall, Mr. Blair was a deputy commissioner and interim leader of the Ontario Provincial Police, Canada’s second-largest police force. He was passed over for the top job by a government-selected hiring panel that picked a friend of the Premier.
The Progressive Conservative government’s Nov. 29 decision to appoint Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner led to a lingering controversy over the potential for politicized policing. Early this month, the government fired Mr. Blair from the OPP, the same week Supt. Taverner withdrew his candidacy for the job. The government has since appointed a new permanent police commissioner.
A spokesman for Mr. Ford said the Premier will respond to the statement of claim. "The Premier’s concern is, and always has been, protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities,” Simon Jefferies said.
A war of words broke out after the government announced the appointment of Supt. Taverner. In December, Mr. Blair launched a legal action in an attempt to force a review of the hiring process. He publicly alleged that “political interference and cronyism" could affect OPP operations.
In December and January, Mr. Ford suggested to reporters that Mr. Blair was motivated by spite and had violated the Police Services Act (PSA) by going public.
“It’s unfortunate that one person has sour grapes … and reacting the way he’s reacting and breaking the police act numerous times,” the Premier said in one televised interview. “Someone needs to hold him accountable, I can assure you that.”
The statement of claim points out that the Police Services Act (PSA) is an Ontario law that specifically exists to deal with allegations of police misconduct. It lays out legal processes that police institutions must undertake in any disciplinary investigation before making adverse findings. Officers found guilty of infractions can face serious sanctions, such as docked pay or dismissal.
This is a key point of the lawsuit, which argues that Mr. Ford’s statements would lead any average person to believe “that former Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair has been found to have committed misconduct under the PSA.”
Mr. Blair says in his statement of claim that to his knowledge, no such proceedings have been initiated against him. He asks the courts to order the Premier to compensate him with $5-million – $2-million in general damages, $1.5-million in punitive damages, and another $1.5-million in “exemplary and/or aggravated” damages.
“Premier Ford’s remarks are malicious in that the defamatory statements were meant to intimidate Mr. Blair, who was seeking a legitimate review of perceived and/or real political interference with the independent operations of the OPP," the statement of claim says. " … The plaintiff states the defamatory statements were a deliberate act of reprisal.”
The claim adds that, potentially, millions of people read or heard about Mr. Blair through the remarks of Mr. Ford, who “intentionally, deliberately and maliciously disseminated allegations of numerous violations of the PSA" in the media.
Mr. Blair served the Premier in January with a legal notice of his intent to sue. "To date, Premier Ford has not issued a full and final retraction of his remarks,” the statement of claim says.
No statement of defence has been filed, but the spokesman for the Premier said one is coming. “Premier Doug Ford will be responding to Mr. Blair’s filing through his legal counsel,” Mr. Jefferies said on Wednesday. “As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The libel suit is distinct from the legal action Mr. Blair launched in December. In that one, he is asking an Ontario divisional court to order the provincial ombudsman to review last fall’s hiring process. Last week, his lawyer, Julian Falconer, suggested a wrongful-dismissal suit may also be coming.
The Integrity Commissioner of Ontario, an independent watchdog, ruled last week after a months-long investigation that the hiring process that picked Supt. Taverner was “flawed" and “troubling."
Although he found no wrongdoing on the part of the Premier in the hiring process, Integrity Commissioner David Wake urged the government to commit to an independent, transparent process for appointing future OPP commissioners.
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Fired OPP deputy sues Doug Ford for $5 million
Former deputy OPP commissioner Brad Blair — who was fired after exposing a bid by the Progressive Conservatives to get a police van with $50,000 in customized upgrades for Doug Ford — is suing the premier for $5 million.
Blair has served the premier with a notice alleging libel and defamation, charging Ford was "malicious" and "grossly negligent" for stating incorrectly on numerous occasions that the veteran law enforcement officer had breached the Police Services Act. The allegations against the premier have not been proven in court.
The deputy commissioner was sacked from the Ontario Provincial Police on March 4 after taking legal action to contest the hiring of Ford's friend Ron Taverner as the force's next commissioner — a job Blair had also sought.
His court filings in that legal case included OPP documents and emails about the van, which the Progressive Conservative government insists were improperly used for the deputy commissioner's "personal gain."
On Wednesday, Ford's director of media relations said "the premier's concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.
"Premier Doug Ford will be responding to Mr. Blair's filing through his legal counsel," said Simon Jefferies. "As the matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The 21-page statement of claim from Blair in Ontario Superior Court of Justice said Ford's remarks included the "demonstrably false" comment that the deputy commissioner had issued retirment papers along with accusations he broke the police act — when charges in that regard were never laid.
"The defendant was grossly negligent and failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements prior to making them, particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier's office," the statement of claim added.
Despite being twice warned by Blair that the remarks were false, Ford "persisted in disseminating the defamatory remarks and took no steps to issue a public, full and final retraction," the statement of claim continued.
"Mr Blair has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally, within the policing community and the community at large. As well, Mr. Blair has been subjected to embarrassment, scandal, ridicule and contempt," the statement of claim said.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9244 ... 5-million/
Blair has served the premier with a notice alleging libel and defamation, charging Ford was "malicious" and "grossly negligent" for stating incorrectly on numerous occasions that the veteran law enforcement officer had breached the Police Services Act. The allegations against the premier have not been proven in court.
The deputy commissioner was sacked from the Ontario Provincial Police on March 4 after taking legal action to contest the hiring of Ford's friend Ron Taverner as the force's next commissioner — a job Blair had also sought.
His court filings in that legal case included OPP documents and emails about the van, which the Progressive Conservative government insists were improperly used for the deputy commissioner's "personal gain."
On Wednesday, Ford's director of media relations said "the premier's concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.
"Premier Doug Ford will be responding to Mr. Blair's filing through his legal counsel," said Simon Jefferies. "As the matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The 21-page statement of claim from Blair in Ontario Superior Court of Justice said Ford's remarks included the "demonstrably false" comment that the deputy commissioner had issued retirment papers along with accusations he broke the police act — when charges in that regard were never laid.
"The defendant was grossly negligent and failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements prior to making them, particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier's office," the statement of claim added.
Despite being twice warned by Blair that the remarks were false, Ford "persisted in disseminating the defamatory remarks and took no steps to issue a public, full and final retraction," the statement of claim continued.
"Mr Blair has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally, within the policing community and the community at large. As well, Mr. Blair has been subjected to embarrassment, scandal, ridicule and contempt," the statement of claim said.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9244 ... 5-million/
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PC party to pay Doug Ford’s legal bills in $5M defamation lawsuit
The Progressive Conservative Party will pay Premier Doug Ford’s legal bills in a $5 million defamation lawsuit filed against him by fired deputy OPP commissioner Brad Blair.
Ford spokesman Simon Jefferies confirmed the arrangement in an email Thursday after opposition parties expressed concern taxpayers might be on the hook.
“The premier shouldn’t have put us in this mess in the first place,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. “Him and his party should be responsible for it. Why should the people of Ontario pay for a premier who wasn’t very thoughtful in the way he approached the hiring of the OPP commissioner and the way that he dealt with Mr. Blair.”
Blair, who was initially passed over for the commissioner’s post for Ford friend Ron Taverner, is suing for defamation.
The veteran law enforcement officer accuses Ford of being “malicious” and “grossly negligent” for stating incorrectly on several occasions that he had breached the Police Services Act for revealing internal OPP documents and emails about a premier’s office request for a van with $50,000 in customized upgrades, including a reclining leather sofa, 32-inch TV with Blu-ray DVD player and mini-fridge.
The defamation allegations against Ford have not been proven in court. Ford’s office has said his lawyer will respond in due course.
“The premier’s concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” Jefferies said.
Blair said in his statement of claim that he has not been charged under the Police Services Act and said Ford failed “to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements ... particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier’s office.”
Ford has accused Blair of “sour grapes” over not getting the commissioner’s job and Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones maintains he released internal OPP communications for “personal gain.”
Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent, withdrew his name from the controversial appointment to head the OPP on March 6 following an ethics investigation that cleared Ford of breaking the Members’ Integrity Act, but found the hiring process was “flawed.” The government subsequently named York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to the post.
Integrity commissioner J. David Wake urged the government to establish a set, formal hiring process for future OPP commissioners, something Jones has refused to do.
Progressive Conservative MPPs on the legislature’s justice committee voted down a Liberal motion Thursday to look at improved ways of appointing OPP commissioners.
The intent was to avoid another “fiasco” like the one over the botched Taverner appointment, said Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers (Ottawa-Vanier).
“I’m very sad and disappointed.”
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
Ford spokesman Simon Jefferies confirmed the arrangement in an email Thursday after opposition parties expressed concern taxpayers might be on the hook.
“The premier shouldn’t have put us in this mess in the first place,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. “Him and his party should be responsible for it. Why should the people of Ontario pay for a premier who wasn’t very thoughtful in the way he approached the hiring of the OPP commissioner and the way that he dealt with Mr. Blair.”
Blair, who was initially passed over for the commissioner’s post for Ford friend Ron Taverner, is suing for defamation.
The veteran law enforcement officer accuses Ford of being “malicious” and “grossly negligent” for stating incorrectly on several occasions that he had breached the Police Services Act for revealing internal OPP documents and emails about a premier’s office request for a van with $50,000 in customized upgrades, including a reclining leather sofa, 32-inch TV with Blu-ray DVD player and mini-fridge.
The defamation allegations against Ford have not been proven in court. Ford’s office has said his lawyer will respond in due course.
“The premier’s concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” Jefferies said.
Blair said in his statement of claim that he has not been charged under the Police Services Act and said Ford failed “to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements ... particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier’s office.”
Ford has accused Blair of “sour grapes” over not getting the commissioner’s job and Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones maintains he released internal OPP communications for “personal gain.”
Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent, withdrew his name from the controversial appointment to head the OPP on March 6 following an ethics investigation that cleared Ford of breaking the Members’ Integrity Act, but found the hiring process was “flawed.” The government subsequently named York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to the post.
Integrity commissioner J. David Wake urged the government to establish a set, formal hiring process for future OPP commissioners, something Jones has refused to do.
Progressive Conservative MPPs on the legislature’s justice committee voted down a Liberal motion Thursday to look at improved ways of appointing OPP commissioners.
The intent was to avoid another “fiasco” like the one over the botched Taverner appointment, said Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers (Ottawa-Vanier).
“I’m very sad and disappointed.”
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
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Doug Ford stands by remarks that prompted defamation lawsuit by fired OPP deputy commissioner
Premier Doug Ford is not backing down from remarks that prompted a $5-million defamation lawsuit against him by a former Ontario Provincial Police deputy commissioner
Brad Blair, who was fired from the OPP after revealing Progressive Conservative efforts to get the premier a police van with $50,000 in customized upgrades including a reclining leather couch, sued Ford last week for stating on several occasions that Blair had breached the Police Services Act.
Blair has not been charged with or convicted of anything under the legislation that governs police conduct.
Ford faced questions on the lawsuit Monday following an announcement at an Etobicoke car dealership.
“When I say something, I usually stick by it,” the premier told reporters after first saying, “I have no comment on that because it would be in front of the courts and the courts will decide.”
Blair’s lawsuit has not been tested in court. It says Ford’s statements were “grossly negligent,” “malicious” and “demonstrably false” when he said Blair violated the Police Services Act.
Blair launched a separate lawsuit in December aimed at forcing Ontario’s ombudsman to investigate the hiring of Ford’s friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner, which Blair argued put the independence of the country’s second-largest police force at risk.
Court filings in that case included OPP documents and emails about the van in correspondence with the premier’s office. Details included the desire for a 32-inch TV, Blu-ray DVD player and mini-fridge.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has accused Blair of improperly using “confidential private information for his own personal gain.”
The government fired Blair on March 4.
Blair applied and was interviewed for the commissioner’s job but did not get it. Ford has dubbed Blair’s call for an investigation into Taverner’s selection as a case of “sour grapes.”
Ford’s office has said the Progressive Conservative Party will pay the premier’s legal fees in the defamation case. Ford’s lawyer has not yet filed a statement of defence.
“The premier’s concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” spokesman Simon Jefferies said last week.
“As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the OPP’s top job on March 6 after months of controversy about his close relationship with the premier. An ethics investigation cleared Ford of any political interference in the appointment, but found “troubling aspects” and “flaws” in the hiring process.
The government later appointed York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique, who did not know Ford, as commissioner of the provincial police force.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
Brad Blair, who was fired from the OPP after revealing Progressive Conservative efforts to get the premier a police van with $50,000 in customized upgrades including a reclining leather couch, sued Ford last week for stating on several occasions that Blair had breached the Police Services Act.
Blair has not been charged with or convicted of anything under the legislation that governs police conduct.
Ford faced questions on the lawsuit Monday following an announcement at an Etobicoke car dealership.
“When I say something, I usually stick by it,” the premier told reporters after first saying, “I have no comment on that because it would be in front of the courts and the courts will decide.”
Blair’s lawsuit has not been tested in court. It says Ford’s statements were “grossly negligent,” “malicious” and “demonstrably false” when he said Blair violated the Police Services Act.
Blair launched a separate lawsuit in December aimed at forcing Ontario’s ombudsman to investigate the hiring of Ford’s friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner, which Blair argued put the independence of the country’s second-largest police force at risk.
Court filings in that case included OPP documents and emails about the van in correspondence with the premier’s office. Details included the desire for a 32-inch TV, Blu-ray DVD player and mini-fridge.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has accused Blair of improperly using “confidential private information for his own personal gain.”
The government fired Blair on March 4.
Blair applied and was interviewed for the commissioner’s job but did not get it. Ford has dubbed Blair’s call for an investigation into Taverner’s selection as a case of “sour grapes.”
Ford’s office has said the Progressive Conservative Party will pay the premier’s legal fees in the defamation case. Ford’s lawyer has not yet filed a statement of defence.
“The premier’s concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” spokesman Simon Jefferies said last week.
“As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the OPP’s top job on March 6 after months of controversy about his close relationship with the premier. An ethics investigation cleared Ford of any political interference in the appointment, but found “troubling aspects” and “flaws” in the hiring process.
The government later appointed York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique, who did not know Ford, as commissioner of the provincial police force.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
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Ford defends comments that landed him in a $5 million libel suit
TORONTO—Premier Doug Ford appears to be standing by comments that led to a $5-million libel suit against him from a fired deputy OPP commissioner.
On March 15, former OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair launched the lawsuit, alleging Ford was “malicious” and “grossly negligent” when he claimed numerous times that Blair broke the Police Services Act.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Ford was asked at a Monday press conference if he regrets making those statements. In response, he said: “Usually when I say something, I usually stick with it.”
Asked what information or proof he had to justify the comments, Ford said, “It’s in front of the courts and I can’t comment right now.”
Last December, Blair filed a complaint with the province’s ombudsman requesting an investigation into the hiring process for the OPP commissioner that led to Ford friend Ron Taverner’s appointment. Blair was the interim head of the force at that time and had been overlooked for the permanent gig.
Ombudsman Paul Dubé rejected the request, and Blair is now locked in a legal battle with Dubé as he tries to force the ombudsman to investigate his allegations of an unfair process and possible political interference in the force.
As that was playing out in December and January, the premier made repeated comments about Blair that court documents say caused “damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally.”
Blair was fired from the police force by Community Safety Deputy Minister Mario Di Tommaso on March 4. His lawyers say he is considering a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
On March 6, Taverner withdrew from the appointment and, on March 11, the government announced Thomas Carrique had been appointed to the top job.
The next week the province’s integrity commissioner found the process used to hire Taverner was flawed.
The court documents say Ford “intentionally, deliberately and maliciously” made the comments “without due regard for the consequences of his conduct.”
The documents detail a series of times when Ford told journalists that Blair broke the law.
“I could give you a list of all the Police Act that was broken throughout that whole letter, but none of you want to report on that,” Ford told reporters at a press conference in December in reference to Blair’s letter to the ombudsman.
And according to the documents, Ford told CP24 in January: “It’s unfortunate that one person has sour grapes, and it is very disappointing, actually, and reacting the way he’s been reacting and breaking the Police Act numerous times. Someone needs to hold him accountable.”
The documents say Blair sought clarification on whether a complaint had been filed against him, or an investigation started, under the Police Services Act, and he never received a response.
The documents also note that Ford has never retracted the comments despite being served with a notice of action on Jan. 23.
Ford has 20 days to respond to the defamation claim.
https://ipolitics.ca/2019/04/01/ford-de ... ibel-suit/
On March 15, former OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair launched the lawsuit, alleging Ford was “malicious” and “grossly negligent” when he claimed numerous times that Blair broke the Police Services Act.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Ford was asked at a Monday press conference if he regrets making those statements. In response, he said: “Usually when I say something, I usually stick with it.”
Asked what information or proof he had to justify the comments, Ford said, “It’s in front of the courts and I can’t comment right now.”
Last December, Blair filed a complaint with the province’s ombudsman requesting an investigation into the hiring process for the OPP commissioner that led to Ford friend Ron Taverner’s appointment. Blair was the interim head of the force at that time and had been overlooked for the permanent gig.
Ombudsman Paul Dubé rejected the request, and Blair is now locked in a legal battle with Dubé as he tries to force the ombudsman to investigate his allegations of an unfair process and possible political interference in the force.
As that was playing out in December and January, the premier made repeated comments about Blair that court documents say caused “damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally.”
Blair was fired from the police force by Community Safety Deputy Minister Mario Di Tommaso on March 4. His lawyers say he is considering a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
On March 6, Taverner withdrew from the appointment and, on March 11, the government announced Thomas Carrique had been appointed to the top job.
The next week the province’s integrity commissioner found the process used to hire Taverner was flawed.
The court documents say Ford “intentionally, deliberately and maliciously” made the comments “without due regard for the consequences of his conduct.”
The documents detail a series of times when Ford told journalists that Blair broke the law.
“I could give you a list of all the Police Act that was broken throughout that whole letter, but none of you want to report on that,” Ford told reporters at a press conference in December in reference to Blair’s letter to the ombudsman.
And according to the documents, Ford told CP24 in January: “It’s unfortunate that one person has sour grapes, and it is very disappointing, actually, and reacting the way he’s been reacting and breaking the Police Act numerous times. Someone needs to hold him accountable.”
The documents say Blair sought clarification on whether a complaint had been filed against him, or an investigation started, under the Police Services Act, and he never received a response.
The documents also note that Ford has never retracted the comments despite being served with a notice of action on Jan. 23.
Ford has 20 days to respond to the defamation claim.
https://ipolitics.ca/2019/04/01/ford-de ... ibel-suit/
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Doug Ford files statement of defence in $5M libel lawsuit
Doug Ford is denying accusations he defamed Brad Blair, the Ontario Provincial Police deputy commissioner who was fired after exposing the Progressive Conservatives’ attempt to get the premier a customized police van.
On Friday, Ford’s lawyers filed a 38-page statement of defence in Blair’s $5-million libel action against the premier, arguing it was Blair who launched a “malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack and assault” against Ford.
“Brad Blair ... improperly used his public position as interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, the highest-ranking police officer in Ontario, as a platform for such personal and political attacks designed to harm Premier Ford and advance Mr. Blair’s personal and private interests,” the court filing states.
Blair was sacked from the OPP on March 4 after revealing government efforts to get Ford a police van with $50,000 in customized upgrades, including a reclining leather couch, a 32-inch TV with Blu-ray DVD player, and a mini-fridge.
The premier’s statement of defence disputes Blair’s claim that Dean French, Ford’s chief of staff, wanted the cost of the tricked-out “camper van” kept “off the books.”
“These accusations are a malicious, personal attack and assault against both Premier Ford and collaterally Mr. French ... and are knowingly false,” said the statement prepared by lawyer Gavin Tighe.
“The statement attributed to Mr. French is pure fiction created and authored by Mr. Blair to serve his personal agenda and purposes. These false accusations, made with malice, suggest, either directly or by way of innuendo, that Premier Ford and Mr. French were engaged in unethical and criminal or quasi-criminal conduct.”
But the defence statement does not dispute that a request for a customized police van was made by the premier’s office.
Last month, Blair served the premier with a notice alleging libel and defamation, charging Ford was “malicious” and “grossly negligent” for stating incorrectly that the veteran police officer had breached the Police Services Act.
Neither the allegations against Ford nor his claims about Blair have been proven in court.
Blair’s dismissal came after he took legal action to contest the hiring of Ford’s friend Ron Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent, as the OPP commissioner.
His court filings in that case included internal OPP documents and emails about the customized van, which the government claims were improperly used.
The 21-page statement of claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice said Ford’s remarks included the “demonstrably false” comment that Blair had “issued” retirement papers, along with accusations he broke the Police Services Act, when no charges were ever laid under the act governing police conduct.
Blair’s suit alleged Ford “was grossly negligent and failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements prior to making them, particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier’s office.”
Despite being twice warned the remarks were false, the statement of claim said, the premier “persisted in disseminating the defamatory remarks and took no steps to issue a public, full and final retraction.”
“Mr. Blair has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally, within the policing community and the community at large. As well, Mr. Blair has been subjected to embarrassment, scandal, ridicule and contempt,” it said.
In the statement of defence, Tighe said Ford’s comments “do not mean ... that Mr. Blair has been found to have committed misconduct under the Police Services Act” or “that Mr. Blair is an individual who breaks the law.”
The lawyer added that his client uttered the “the impugned words ... at two media press conferences at which Premier Ford had no control over the questions asked by journalists.”
When Taverner was appointed as commissioner on Nov. 29, Blair was serving as interim commissioner and was a front-runner for the job.
Amid an ethics investigation that would ultimately clear Ford of wrongdoing, Taverner withdrew his name from consideration on March 6.
York Regional Police deputy Chief Thomas Carrique was appointed OPP commissioner on March 11.
Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, did not return messages seeking comment on Friday.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
On Friday, Ford’s lawyers filed a 38-page statement of defence in Blair’s $5-million libel action against the premier, arguing it was Blair who launched a “malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack and assault” against Ford.
“Brad Blair ... improperly used his public position as interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, the highest-ranking police officer in Ontario, as a platform for such personal and political attacks designed to harm Premier Ford and advance Mr. Blair’s personal and private interests,” the court filing states.
Blair was sacked from the OPP on March 4 after revealing government efforts to get Ford a police van with $50,000 in customized upgrades, including a reclining leather couch, a 32-inch TV with Blu-ray DVD player, and a mini-fridge.
The premier’s statement of defence disputes Blair’s claim that Dean French, Ford’s chief of staff, wanted the cost of the tricked-out “camper van” kept “off the books.”
“These accusations are a malicious, personal attack and assault against both Premier Ford and collaterally Mr. French ... and are knowingly false,” said the statement prepared by lawyer Gavin Tighe.
“The statement attributed to Mr. French is pure fiction created and authored by Mr. Blair to serve his personal agenda and purposes. These false accusations, made with malice, suggest, either directly or by way of innuendo, that Premier Ford and Mr. French were engaged in unethical and criminal or quasi-criminal conduct.”
But the defence statement does not dispute that a request for a customized police van was made by the premier’s office.
Last month, Blair served the premier with a notice alleging libel and defamation, charging Ford was “malicious” and “grossly negligent” for stating incorrectly that the veteran police officer had breached the Police Services Act.
Neither the allegations against Ford nor his claims about Blair have been proven in court.
Blair’s dismissal came after he took legal action to contest the hiring of Ford’s friend Ron Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent, as the OPP commissioner.
His court filings in that case included internal OPP documents and emails about the customized van, which the government claims were improperly used.
The 21-page statement of claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice said Ford’s remarks included the “demonstrably false” comment that Blair had “issued” retirement papers, along with accusations he broke the Police Services Act, when no charges were ever laid under the act governing police conduct.
Blair’s suit alleged Ford “was grossly negligent and failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of his public statements prior to making them, particularly in light of the weight attached to the premier’s office.”
Despite being twice warned the remarks were false, the statement of claim said, the premier “persisted in disseminating the defamatory remarks and took no steps to issue a public, full and final retraction.”
“Mr. Blair has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage to his character and reputation, personally and professionally, within the policing community and the community at large. As well, Mr. Blair has been subjected to embarrassment, scandal, ridicule and contempt,” it said.
In the statement of defence, Tighe said Ford’s comments “do not mean ... that Mr. Blair has been found to have committed misconduct under the Police Services Act” or “that Mr. Blair is an individual who breaks the law.”
The lawyer added that his client uttered the “the impugned words ... at two media press conferences at which Premier Ford had no control over the questions asked by journalists.”
When Taverner was appointed as commissioner on Nov. 29, Blair was serving as interim commissioner and was a front-runner for the job.
Amid an ethics investigation that would ultimately clear Ford of wrongdoing, Taverner withdrew his name from consideration on March 6.
York Regional Police deputy Chief Thomas Carrique was appointed OPP commissioner on March 11.
Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, did not return messages seeking comment on Friday.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... wsuit.html
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Doug Ford’s lawyers defend premier against defamation suit by Brad Blair
TORONTO – Doug Ford‘s lawyers claim the premier was defending himself against “malicious” public attacks when he made comments last year about a former high-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer who is now suing him.
The legal team claimed Ford’s remarks about Brad Blair were not defamatory and constituted fair comment, urging a court to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the former deputy commissioner of the provincial force.
“Premier Ford pleads that his response to Mr. Blair’s malicious, political and personal attack against him was not malicious, but on the contrary was reasonable if not reserved,” the lawyers said in a statement of defence filed Friday.
Blair launched the lawsuit in March, claiming Ford smeared his reputation for political gain by saying the officer violated the Police Services Act when he publicly raised concerns about the appointment of a longtime friend of the premier as OPP commissioner.
Blair, who was also in the running for the commissioner job, had said the selection process around Toronto Supt. Ron Taverner’s hiring was unfair and could raise doubts about the force’s independence.
He also asked the courts to force the provincial ombudsman to investigate the appointment, raising concerns about political interference
Taverner has since withdrawn from the job, citing the controversy surrounding his appointment. The government has named Thomas Carrique, a deputy chief for York Regional Police, to the post.
Blair asks for $5 million in damages and alleges in his suit that Ford’s comments subjected him to “embarrassment, scandal, ridicule, and contempt,” and were meant to intimidate the veteran officer.
Blair was fired last month. The government has said that decision came from the public service because it found his court filings in the ombudsman case contained confidential OPP information.
The former officer’s lawyer has said his client never received notice of a complaint under the Police Services Act or any findings that he violated it, and alleged that the premier’s words would lead an average person to believe Blair is someone who breaks the law.
Ford’s lawyer’s allege that Blair improperly used his platform at the provincial police service to attack the premier.
“Mr. Blair improperly used his public position to achieve his own private purposes of attempting to politically and personally harm Premier Ford and at the same time advance his own personal and career ambitions,” Ford’s lawyers say.
They claim Blair’s lawsuit is an abuse of process.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5209247/doug ... t-defence/
https://www.cp24.com/news/ford-s-lawyer ... -1.4397230
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/04/26/ ... tion-suit/
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ford-s-lawye ... -1.4397209
https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/ford-s-lawyer ... -1.4398046
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/c ... ir-comment
The legal team claimed Ford’s remarks about Brad Blair were not defamatory and constituted fair comment, urging a court to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the former deputy commissioner of the provincial force.
“Premier Ford pleads that his response to Mr. Blair’s malicious, political and personal attack against him was not malicious, but on the contrary was reasonable if not reserved,” the lawyers said in a statement of defence filed Friday.
Blair launched the lawsuit in March, claiming Ford smeared his reputation for political gain by saying the officer violated the Police Services Act when he publicly raised concerns about the appointment of a longtime friend of the premier as OPP commissioner.
Blair, who was also in the running for the commissioner job, had said the selection process around Toronto Supt. Ron Taverner’s hiring was unfair and could raise doubts about the force’s independence.
He also asked the courts to force the provincial ombudsman to investigate the appointment, raising concerns about political interference
Taverner has since withdrawn from the job, citing the controversy surrounding his appointment. The government has named Thomas Carrique, a deputy chief for York Regional Police, to the post.
Blair asks for $5 million in damages and alleges in his suit that Ford’s comments subjected him to “embarrassment, scandal, ridicule, and contempt,” and were meant to intimidate the veteran officer.
Blair was fired last month. The government has said that decision came from the public service because it found his court filings in the ombudsman case contained confidential OPP information.
The former officer’s lawyer has said his client never received notice of a complaint under the Police Services Act or any findings that he violated it, and alleged that the premier’s words would lead an average person to believe Blair is someone who breaks the law.
Ford’s lawyer’s allege that Blair improperly used his platform at the provincial police service to attack the premier.
“Mr. Blair improperly used his public position to achieve his own private purposes of attempting to politically and personally harm Premier Ford and at the same time advance his own personal and career ambitions,” Ford’s lawyers say.
They claim Blair’s lawsuit is an abuse of process.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5209247/doug ... t-defence/
https://www.cp24.com/news/ford-s-lawyer ... -1.4397230
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/04/26/ ... tion-suit/
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ford-s-lawye ... -1.4397209
https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/ford-s-lawyer ... -1.4398046
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/c ... ir-comment
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Ford defends himself against $5M defamation claim by Brad Blair, calls it an attempt to 'muzzle' him
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is firing back after being hit with a $5 million defamation lawsuit by former OPP deputy Brad Blair, denying he did anything wrong by claiming Blair violated the Police Services Act.
Ford's lawyers said the premier was defending himself against "malicious" public attacks when he made comments last year about the former high-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer who is now suing him.
In a statement of defence filed Friday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ford said his comments came "in response to a calculated, widely publicized, public, malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack," by Blair.
Blair alleged Ford smeared his reputation for political gain when the premier said the officer violated the act by publicly raising questions about the appointment of Ron Taverner, a long-time Ford family friend as OPP commissioner.
Ford's statement said his comments were true, justified, spoken on an instance of qualified privilege and represented an opinion and fair comment. It also said Blair's defamation claim is an attempt "to muzzle Premier Ford from speaking as the duly elected Premier of Ontario."
The "attack," according to the statement of defence, refers to a letter written by Blair to Ontario's Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, on Dec. 11 2018. The premier said that letter amounts to Blair "improperly" using his position to advance his interests.
Taverner appointment led to controversy
Blair, who was up for the OPP's top job, had sought an investigation into the OPP's appointment of Taverner as the force's new commissioner, saying the original job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher in a major police service — a criteria Taverner didn't meet.
Taverner later withdrew from the appointment process, citing the controversy surrounding his appointment. The government has named Thomas Carrique, a deputy chief for York Regional Police, to the post.
Blair also made headlines as the whistleblower who revealed Ford's plans to spend $50,000 customizing a van through the OPP.
He has now been fired from the provincial police force. The government has said that decision came from the public service because it found Blair's court filings in the ombudsman case contained confidential OPP information.
The former officer's lawyer has said his client never received notice of a complaint under the Police Services Act or any findings that he violated it, and alleged that the premier's words would lead an average person to believe Blair is someone who breaks the law.
Ford's lawyers said Blair's lawsuit is an abuse of process and are asking for it to be dismissed.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.5113123
Ford's lawyers said the premier was defending himself against "malicious" public attacks when he made comments last year about the former high-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer who is now suing him.
In a statement of defence filed Friday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ford said his comments came "in response to a calculated, widely publicized, public, malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack," by Blair.
Blair alleged Ford smeared his reputation for political gain when the premier said the officer violated the act by publicly raising questions about the appointment of Ron Taverner, a long-time Ford family friend as OPP commissioner.
Ford's statement said his comments were true, justified, spoken on an instance of qualified privilege and represented an opinion and fair comment. It also said Blair's defamation claim is an attempt "to muzzle Premier Ford from speaking as the duly elected Premier of Ontario."
The "attack," according to the statement of defence, refers to a letter written by Blair to Ontario's Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, on Dec. 11 2018. The premier said that letter amounts to Blair "improperly" using his position to advance his interests.
Taverner appointment led to controversy
Blair, who was up for the OPP's top job, had sought an investigation into the OPP's appointment of Taverner as the force's new commissioner, saying the original job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher in a major police service — a criteria Taverner didn't meet.
Taverner later withdrew from the appointment process, citing the controversy surrounding his appointment. The government has named Thomas Carrique, a deputy chief for York Regional Police, to the post.
Blair also made headlines as the whistleblower who revealed Ford's plans to spend $50,000 customizing a van through the OPP.
He has now been fired from the provincial police force. The government has said that decision came from the public service because it found Blair's court filings in the ombudsman case contained confidential OPP information.
The former officer's lawyer has said his client never received notice of a complaint under the Police Services Act or any findings that he violated it, and alleged that the premier's words would lead an average person to believe Blair is someone who breaks the law.
Ford's lawyers said Blair's lawsuit is an abuse of process and are asking for it to be dismissed.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.5113123
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‘No indication’ that Doug Ford influenced OPP firing, ethics watchdog says
Ontario’s ethics watchdog is citing “insufficient grounds” in refusing to investigate a New Democrat allegation Premier Doug Ford broke the law by approving the firing of OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair.
“To commence an inquiry in these circumstances would be tantamount to embarking on a fishing expedition,” provincial integrity commissioner J. David Wake said Tuesday in a five-page report.
New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde charged in March that Ford breached the Members’ Integrity Act by using his office to influence the decision to terminate Blair, a veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer who was passed over for the commissioner’s job initially given to Ford family friend Ron Taverner.
Blair was fired after revealing that the premier’s office had pushed the OPP to provide Ford with a customized travel van outfitted with a reclining leather sofa, flat screen television, Blu-ray DVD player, lounge chairs and a fridge at an estimated cost of $50,000.
“Mr. Yarde has not provided any information in his affidavit to describe specifically how the premier was involved in this decision,” Wake wrote.
He noted Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has told the Legislature the decision to fire Blair was made by the nine-member Ontario Public Service Commission.
Jones said Wake’s decision is a vindication and maintained there was nothing questionable about the firing.
“What is questionable to me is that a person who clearly had sour grapes and was angry that they did not get the job they applied for continued to use his position in an inappropriate way, and he was dealt with,” she told reporters.
“I think if anyone needs to look back and study their actions it would be Mr. Blair.”
Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, blasted Wake for a “mystifying” decision not to investigate.
“No one looking objectively at the circumstances of the Ron Taverner appointment and the ultimate firing of Brad Blair could help but wonder about whether his termination was an act of reprisal by a premier who was prevented from installing his friend as commissioner,” Falconer told the Star.
“It does not surprise me he gave Premier Ford a clean bill of health since he never went looking into the problem. Respectfully, this really does raise the question of the resourcing and qualifications of this particular public official,” he added in a shot at Wake.
Wake declined interviews Tuesday but added in his report “there is no indication from Mr. Yarde that any of the members of the Public Service Commission or the cabinet were improperly influenced by the premier to arrive at their decision.”
Opposition parties cautioned the government from reading too much into Wake’s refusal to investigate.
“It’s not an exoneration, it’s simply the limits of the integrity commissioner’s power,” said interim Liberal leader John Fraser.
“I don’t think there’s a single person in Ontario, as a matter of fact, who doesn’t think that that entire debacle, whether it was the hiring of Mr. Taverner or the firing of Brad Blair, stunk to high heaven,” added NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
“That whole process was a stinking mess.”
Blair has filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against Ford, alleging the premier stated on several occasions that Blair had breached the Police Services Act. Blair has not been charged with or convicted of anything under the law that governs police conduct.
The allegations in Blair’s lawsuit, which calls Ford’s statements “grossly negligent” and “malicious,” has not been tested in court.
Ford denies the accusations in his statement of defence, arguing it was Blair who launched “a malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack and assault” against him by “improperly” using internal police information in a court case to contest the hiring of Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto Police superintendent.
When Taverner bowed out of the OPP appointment following widespread concerns about his close relationship with Ford, the government chose York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to head the force.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... -says.html
“To commence an inquiry in these circumstances would be tantamount to embarking on a fishing expedition,” provincial integrity commissioner J. David Wake said Tuesday in a five-page report.
New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde charged in March that Ford breached the Members’ Integrity Act by using his office to influence the decision to terminate Blair, a veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer who was passed over for the commissioner’s job initially given to Ford family friend Ron Taverner.
Blair was fired after revealing that the premier’s office had pushed the OPP to provide Ford with a customized travel van outfitted with a reclining leather sofa, flat screen television, Blu-ray DVD player, lounge chairs and a fridge at an estimated cost of $50,000.
“Mr. Yarde has not provided any information in his affidavit to describe specifically how the premier was involved in this decision,” Wake wrote.
He noted Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has told the Legislature the decision to fire Blair was made by the nine-member Ontario Public Service Commission.
Jones said Wake’s decision is a vindication and maintained there was nothing questionable about the firing.
“What is questionable to me is that a person who clearly had sour grapes and was angry that they did not get the job they applied for continued to use his position in an inappropriate way, and he was dealt with,” she told reporters.
“I think if anyone needs to look back and study their actions it would be Mr. Blair.”
Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, blasted Wake for a “mystifying” decision not to investigate.
“No one looking objectively at the circumstances of the Ron Taverner appointment and the ultimate firing of Brad Blair could help but wonder about whether his termination was an act of reprisal by a premier who was prevented from installing his friend as commissioner,” Falconer told the Star.
“It does not surprise me he gave Premier Ford a clean bill of health since he never went looking into the problem. Respectfully, this really does raise the question of the resourcing and qualifications of this particular public official,” he added in a shot at Wake.
Wake declined interviews Tuesday but added in his report “there is no indication from Mr. Yarde that any of the members of the Public Service Commission or the cabinet were improperly influenced by the premier to arrive at their decision.”
Opposition parties cautioned the government from reading too much into Wake’s refusal to investigate.
“It’s not an exoneration, it’s simply the limits of the integrity commissioner’s power,” said interim Liberal leader John Fraser.
“I don’t think there’s a single person in Ontario, as a matter of fact, who doesn’t think that that entire debacle, whether it was the hiring of Mr. Taverner or the firing of Brad Blair, stunk to high heaven,” added NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
“That whole process was a stinking mess.”
Blair has filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against Ford, alleging the premier stated on several occasions that Blair had breached the Police Services Act. Blair has not been charged with or convicted of anything under the law that governs police conduct.
The allegations in Blair’s lawsuit, which calls Ford’s statements “grossly negligent” and “malicious,” has not been tested in court.
Ford denies the accusations in his statement of defence, arguing it was Blair who launched “a malicious and unprovoked personal and political attack and assault” against him by “improperly” using internal police information in a court case to contest the hiring of Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto Police superintendent.
When Taverner bowed out of the OPP appointment following widespread concerns about his close relationship with Ford, the government chose York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to head the force.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... -says.html
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Integrity commissioner says there are no grounds to investigate OPP deputy’s firing
Ontario's integrity commissioner says there are no grounds to support an inquiry into the firing of OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair.
J. David Wake says he has no evidence to suggest Blair was fired at the suggestion of Premier Doug Ford, or that Ford was involved in any way.
Following the announcement that longtime Ford family friend and Etobicoke Toronto police superintendent Ron Taverner would be the new head of the OPP in Sept. 2018, Blair took a number of steps to challenge the decision.
Blair, who also sought the job, sought a court order to compel the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate Taverner’s hiring, alleging it was fixed to ensure Taverner’s success.
He also released OPP documents indicating Ford wanted a custom van outfitted for his official travel, at a public cost of $50,000.
In a separate report, Wake said no rules were broken in the hiring of Taverner but that the process was “troubling.”
Blair’s termination was announced on March 4 and Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the OPP Commissioner position two days later.
Blair filed a defamation suit against Ford on March 27, seeking $5 million in damages for comments Ford made suggesting Blair broke the law by releasing documents on the customized van.
Originally from Essex, Blair is graduate of the University of Windsor where he obtained a sociology degree.
He joined the OPP in 1986 and worked his way up from Constable in rural and northern Ontario, serving in detachments including Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Chatham.
https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/integrity-co ... -1.4412092
J. David Wake says he has no evidence to suggest Blair was fired at the suggestion of Premier Doug Ford, or that Ford was involved in any way.
Following the announcement that longtime Ford family friend and Etobicoke Toronto police superintendent Ron Taverner would be the new head of the OPP in Sept. 2018, Blair took a number of steps to challenge the decision.
Blair, who also sought the job, sought a court order to compel the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate Taverner’s hiring, alleging it was fixed to ensure Taverner’s success.
He also released OPP documents indicating Ford wanted a custom van outfitted for his official travel, at a public cost of $50,000.
In a separate report, Wake said no rules were broken in the hiring of Taverner but that the process was “troubling.”
Blair’s termination was announced on March 4 and Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the OPP Commissioner position two days later.
Blair filed a defamation suit against Ford on March 27, seeking $5 million in damages for comments Ford made suggesting Blair broke the law by releasing documents on the customized van.
Originally from Essex, Blair is graduate of the University of Windsor where he obtained a sociology degree.
He joined the OPP in 1986 and worked his way up from Constable in rural and northern Ontario, serving in detachments including Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Chatham.
https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/integrity-co ... -1.4412092
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‘No indication’ that Doug Ford influenced OPP firing, ethics watchdog says
OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair was fired after revealing that the premier’s office had pushed the OPP to provide Ford with a van that had been customized with a leather reclining sofa and TV.
Ontario's integrity commissioner is citing "insufficient grounds" to investigate an NDP allegation that Premier Doug Ford violated ethics legislation by approving the firing of OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair.
New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde charged in March that Ford breached the Members' Integrity Act by using his office to influence the decision to terminate Blair, a veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer who was passed over for the commissioner's job initially given to Ford family friend Ron Taverner.
Blair was fired after revealing that the premier's office had pushed the OPP to provide Ford with a van that had been customized with a leather reclining sofa and TV.
"Mr. Yarde has not provided any information in his affidavit to describe specifically how the premier was involved in this decision," Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake said Tuesday in a five-page report.
Wake noted Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has told the Legislature the decision to fire Blair was made by the nine-member Ontario Public Service Commission.
"There is no indication from Mr. Yarde that any of the members of the Public Service Commission or the cabinet were improperly influenced by the premier to arrive at their decision," Wake added.
"To commence an inquiry in these circumstances would be tantamount to embarking on a fishing expedition."
When Taverner bowed out of the OPP appointment following widespread concerns about his close relationship with Ford, the government chose York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to head the force.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9341 ... hdog-says/
Ontario's integrity commissioner is citing "insufficient grounds" to investigate an NDP allegation that Premier Doug Ford violated ethics legislation by approving the firing of OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair.
New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde charged in March that Ford breached the Members' Integrity Act by using his office to influence the decision to terminate Blair, a veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer who was passed over for the commissioner's job initially given to Ford family friend Ron Taverner.
Blair was fired after revealing that the premier's office had pushed the OPP to provide Ford with a van that had been customized with a leather reclining sofa and TV.
"Mr. Yarde has not provided any information in his affidavit to describe specifically how the premier was involved in this decision," Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake said Tuesday in a five-page report.
Wake noted Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones has told the Legislature the decision to fire Blair was made by the nine-member Ontario Public Service Commission.
"There is no indication from Mr. Yarde that any of the members of the Public Service Commission or the cabinet were improperly influenced by the premier to arrive at their decision," Wake added.
"To commence an inquiry in these circumstances would be tantamount to embarking on a fishing expedition."
When Taverner bowed out of the OPP appointment following widespread concerns about his close relationship with Ford, the government chose York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique to head the force.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9341 ... hdog-says/
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Watchdog rejects NDP request to investigate Ford’s role in OPP firing
TORONTO—Ontario’s integrity commissioner says there are no grounds to investigate Premier Doug Ford’s possible involvement in the firing of an outspoken OPP deputy commissioner.
Deputy OPP commissioner Brad Blair was fired on March 4. He had been in the running for the top job, as OPP commissioner, and spoke out last December after Ford friend Ron Taverner was awarded the position.
At the time, Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the decision was made by the Public Service Commission and then cabinet revoked the order-in-council appointing him deputy commissioner. NDP MPP Kevin Yarde questioned whether that was an independent process and asked Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake to investigate Ford’s involvement.
On Tuesday, Wake released a report saying there were “insufficient grounds to conduct an inquiry.”
He said starting an inquiry based on the information provided by Yarde would amount to a “fishing expedition” because there was “no indication” from Yarde that the commission or cabinet were “improperly influenced by the Premier to arrive at their decision.”
Jones told reporters Tuesday the decision shows the NDP are out of touch with the issues that matter to voters and shows the opposition “continue to spin their wheels.”
She saved her most critical comments, however, for Blair himself.
When asked if Blair’s firing by the government was at all questionable, Jones said: “What is questionable to me is that a person who clearly had sour grapes and was angry they did not get the job they applied for, continued to use his position in an inappropriate way and he was dealt with.”
Blair has launched a lawsuit trying to force the province’s ombudsman to investigate Taverner’s hiring. Taverner’s appointment was delayed and then he quit it entirely. The province has since appointed Thomas Carrique to the OPP commissioner post.
Blair also launched a $5 million libel suit against Ford.
“If anyone needs to look back and study their actions it would be Mr. Blair,” Jones said.
Blair’s lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath told reporters that no matter what Wake decided, most Ontarians think Blair’s firing “was a stinking mess.”
https://ipolitics.ca/2019/05/07/watchdo ... pp-firing/
Deputy OPP commissioner Brad Blair was fired on March 4. He had been in the running for the top job, as OPP commissioner, and spoke out last December after Ford friend Ron Taverner was awarded the position.
At the time, Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the decision was made by the Public Service Commission and then cabinet revoked the order-in-council appointing him deputy commissioner. NDP MPP Kevin Yarde questioned whether that was an independent process and asked Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake to investigate Ford’s involvement.
On Tuesday, Wake released a report saying there were “insufficient grounds to conduct an inquiry.”
He said starting an inquiry based on the information provided by Yarde would amount to a “fishing expedition” because there was “no indication” from Yarde that the commission or cabinet were “improperly influenced by the Premier to arrive at their decision.”
Jones told reporters Tuesday the decision shows the NDP are out of touch with the issues that matter to voters and shows the opposition “continue to spin their wheels.”
She saved her most critical comments, however, for Blair himself.
When asked if Blair’s firing by the government was at all questionable, Jones said: “What is questionable to me is that a person who clearly had sour grapes and was angry they did not get the job they applied for, continued to use his position in an inappropriate way and he was dealt with.”
Blair has launched a lawsuit trying to force the province’s ombudsman to investigate Taverner’s hiring. Taverner’s appointment was delayed and then he quit it entirely. The province has since appointed Thomas Carrique to the OPP commissioner post.
Blair also launched a $5 million libel suit against Ford.
“If anyone needs to look back and study their actions it would be Mr. Blair,” Jones said.
Blair’s lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath told reporters that no matter what Wake decided, most Ontarians think Blair’s firing “was a stinking mess.”
https://ipolitics.ca/2019/05/07/watchdo ... pp-firing/
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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Police commander dismissed by Ford government files wrongful dismissal grievance
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government undermined the job security of “thousands” of police officers in the province when it stripped a top commander of his badge, according to wrongful dismissal filings obtained by The Globe and Mail.
Brad Blair, the former Ontario Provincial Police deputy commissioner, is making this allegation as he seeks reinstatement in the OPP through a grievance case. “If Mr. Blair can be terminated without any due process … then thousands of provincial police officers are now at risk of being summarily fired by bureaucrats for any reason,” his arguments read.
Almost a year ago, the Progressive Conservative government appointed Mr. Blair the acting head of the OPP. That job put him in charge of the force’s nearly 6,000 officers. But when he was passed over for the permanent role in favour of a friend of Mr. Ford, he launched an escalating series of legal actions.
The wrongful dismissal grievance has not been previously reported. While it challenges the government’s messaging that it is out to empower police, the Premier’s Office says the rank and file have nothing to fear.
“The Premier’s concern is, and always has been, protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Ivana Yelich, a spokeswoman. “As the matter is before the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Last November, a hiring panel struck by the newly elected government picked Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner, who has long overseen the policing of the Premier’s riding, as the next OPP commissioner. The runner-up Mr. Blair, then still an OPP deputy commissioner, responded by alleging potential “cronyism” in a lawsuit seeking a formal review.
The political controversy died down only in early March when, within the span of a week, Mr. Blair was fired from the OPP, Supt. Taverner withdrew his application, and a new police chief was picked by the government.
The wrongful dismissal case highlights a tension that exists in the law. On one hand, the OPP’s most senior commanders get their command authority only from reversible political decrees that emanate from cabinet. Yet these same commanders never relinquish the legal rights they have as police officers to formal hearings that must be held before they can be disciplined – or fired.
A deputy minister hand-delivered the March 4 termination notice to Mr. Blair. The correspondence accused him of breaking the confidentiality oaths he was supposed to uphold under the laws that guide the civil service. Specifically, it alleged that Mr. Blair had wrongly backed up his court-filed complaints with sensitive OPP e-mails discussing Mr. Ford’s security and transportation arrangements.
On March 6, Mr. Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, wrote the government to say that, at the utmost, it could have tried to demote Mr. Blair, but it had zero authority to oust him from the OPP because “absolutely no process has been initiated or completed pursuant to the Police Services Act, Brad Blair remains a sworn police officer,” he wrote.
On March 8, government lawyer Victoria Yankou later retorted that “there is no merit whatsoever to your claim” and pointed out cabinet itself had pulled Mr. Blair’s command authority.
On May 1, the dispute landed at the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board. The adjudicative tribunal tries to mediate complaints but holds hearings when it cannot. No such dates have been set and the government has yet to enter its defence filings.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... dismissal/
Brad Blair, the former Ontario Provincial Police deputy commissioner, is making this allegation as he seeks reinstatement in the OPP through a grievance case. “If Mr. Blair can be terminated without any due process … then thousands of provincial police officers are now at risk of being summarily fired by bureaucrats for any reason,” his arguments read.
Almost a year ago, the Progressive Conservative government appointed Mr. Blair the acting head of the OPP. That job put him in charge of the force’s nearly 6,000 officers. But when he was passed over for the permanent role in favour of a friend of Mr. Ford, he launched an escalating series of legal actions.
The wrongful dismissal grievance has not been previously reported. While it challenges the government’s messaging that it is out to empower police, the Premier’s Office says the rank and file have nothing to fear.
“The Premier’s concern is, and always has been, protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Ivana Yelich, a spokeswoman. “As the matter is before the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Last November, a hiring panel struck by the newly elected government picked Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner, who has long overseen the policing of the Premier’s riding, as the next OPP commissioner. The runner-up Mr. Blair, then still an OPP deputy commissioner, responded by alleging potential “cronyism” in a lawsuit seeking a formal review.
The political controversy died down only in early March when, within the span of a week, Mr. Blair was fired from the OPP, Supt. Taverner withdrew his application, and a new police chief was picked by the government.
The wrongful dismissal case highlights a tension that exists in the law. On one hand, the OPP’s most senior commanders get their command authority only from reversible political decrees that emanate from cabinet. Yet these same commanders never relinquish the legal rights they have as police officers to formal hearings that must be held before they can be disciplined – or fired.
A deputy minister hand-delivered the March 4 termination notice to Mr. Blair. The correspondence accused him of breaking the confidentiality oaths he was supposed to uphold under the laws that guide the civil service. Specifically, it alleged that Mr. Blair had wrongly backed up his court-filed complaints with sensitive OPP e-mails discussing Mr. Ford’s security and transportation arrangements.
On March 6, Mr. Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, wrote the government to say that, at the utmost, it could have tried to demote Mr. Blair, but it had zero authority to oust him from the OPP because “absolutely no process has been initiated or completed pursuant to the Police Services Act, Brad Blair remains a sworn police officer,” he wrote.
On March 8, government lawyer Victoria Yankou later retorted that “there is no merit whatsoever to your claim” and pointed out cabinet itself had pulled Mr. Blair’s command authority.
On May 1, the dispute landed at the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board. The adjudicative tribunal tries to mediate complaints but holds hearings when it cannot. No such dates have been set and the government has yet to enter its defence filings.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... dismissal/
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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Former deputy OPP commissioner seeks reinstatement
A senior Ontario Provincial Police officer who was fired by the provincial government after exposing Premier Doug Ford's push for a customized travel van with a reclining sofa, mini-fridge and television is now pushing to get his old job back.
Brad Blair has filed a wrongful dismissal grievance with the Public Service Grievance Board, seeking to return to the rank of chief superintendent or be retired "with all the rights and privileges" to which he would have been entitled as a 32-year veteran of the force.
It's the latest in a series of legal moves by Blair, who was passed over for the OPP commissioner's job — which was initially given to Ford's friend Ron Taverner — and has since filed a $5-million lawsuit against Ford that alleges the premier defamed him by saying Blair had breached the Police Services Act.
Blair was appointed the OPP's interim commissioner by the Ford government after Vince Hawkes retired last fall. He was fired in person on March 4 by Mario Di Tommaso, the deputy minister of community safety, following a meeting of the nine-member Public Service Commission headed by Diane McArthur.
At the time, Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones accused Blair of releasing "private information for personal gain" regarding the $50,000 van customization and a profane tirade by Ford about new faces on his OPP security detail.
That information was revealed in a court case Blair initiated to have Ontario's ombudsman review the Nov. 29 hiring of Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent whose territory included Ford's home turf of Etobicoke, amid concerns of cronyism.
The grievance application from Blair, who has called his firing a "reprisal" for trying to block the Taverner appointment, was filed May 1 and maintains he was dismissed with no efforts to resolve matters.
"Neither the deputy minister nor Chair McArthur engaged in any dispute resolution with Mr. Blair," states the 37-page document filed with the grievance board.
"Mr. Blair was summarily fired, without notice, without an opportunity to know the case against him, without an opportunity to reply, and without a hearing, all of which is required for discipline of any provincial police officer under the (Police Services Act)."
The dismissal sent a chill through the ranks of the OPP, the grievance contends. "Thousands of police officers are now at risk of being summarily fired by bureaucrats for any reason," it says.
Blair is requesting mediation of his claim.
No date has been set for any proceedings and the government has not filed a response. A lawyer for the Ministry of the Attorney General has previously stated the firing was justified, and Jones has said it was appropriate because Blair reported to Di Tommaso as deputy minister.
"As the matter is before the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board, it would be inappropriate to comment further," Ford spokesman Ivana Yelich said in a statement Monday.
"The premier's concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities."
On Dec. 15, Taverner asked that his appointment be delayed pending an investigation by Ontario's integrity commissioner into any involvement by the premier. The hiring had sparked concerns about the independence of the OPP, which can be called upon to investigate provincial politicians. Ford was eventually cleared, but the integrity commissioner's report cautioned the hiring process was "troubling" and "flawed."
On March 6, two days after Blair was fired, Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the job. The government then appointed York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique as OPP commissioner.
Allegations against Ford in Blair's $5-million defamation lawsuit have not been proven in court. The premier's office said Ford will be replying through his legal counsel.
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/new ... statement/
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9527 ... statement/
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... nstatement
Brad Blair has filed a wrongful dismissal grievance with the Public Service Grievance Board, seeking to return to the rank of chief superintendent or be retired "with all the rights and privileges" to which he would have been entitled as a 32-year veteran of the force.
It's the latest in a series of legal moves by Blair, who was passed over for the OPP commissioner's job — which was initially given to Ford's friend Ron Taverner — and has since filed a $5-million lawsuit against Ford that alleges the premier defamed him by saying Blair had breached the Police Services Act.
Blair was appointed the OPP's interim commissioner by the Ford government after Vince Hawkes retired last fall. He was fired in person on March 4 by Mario Di Tommaso, the deputy minister of community safety, following a meeting of the nine-member Public Service Commission headed by Diane McArthur.
At the time, Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones accused Blair of releasing "private information for personal gain" regarding the $50,000 van customization and a profane tirade by Ford about new faces on his OPP security detail.
That information was revealed in a court case Blair initiated to have Ontario's ombudsman review the Nov. 29 hiring of Taverner, a 72-year-old Toronto police superintendent whose territory included Ford's home turf of Etobicoke, amid concerns of cronyism.
The grievance application from Blair, who has called his firing a "reprisal" for trying to block the Taverner appointment, was filed May 1 and maintains he was dismissed with no efforts to resolve matters.
"Neither the deputy minister nor Chair McArthur engaged in any dispute resolution with Mr. Blair," states the 37-page document filed with the grievance board.
"Mr. Blair was summarily fired, without notice, without an opportunity to know the case against him, without an opportunity to reply, and without a hearing, all of which is required for discipline of any provincial police officer under the (Police Services Act)."
The dismissal sent a chill through the ranks of the OPP, the grievance contends. "Thousands of police officers are now at risk of being summarily fired by bureaucrats for any reason," it says.
Blair is requesting mediation of his claim.
No date has been set for any proceedings and the government has not filed a response. A lawyer for the Ministry of the Attorney General has previously stated the firing was justified, and Jones has said it was appropriate because Blair reported to Di Tommaso as deputy minister.
"As the matter is before the Ontario Public Service Grievance Board, it would be inappropriate to comment further," Ford spokesman Ivana Yelich said in a statement Monday.
"The premier's concern is and always has been protecting and supporting the front-line OPP officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities."
On Dec. 15, Taverner asked that his appointment be delayed pending an investigation by Ontario's integrity commissioner into any involvement by the premier. The hiring had sparked concerns about the independence of the OPP, which can be called upon to investigate provincial politicians. Ford was eventually cleared, but the integrity commissioner's report cautioned the hiring process was "troubling" and "flawed."
On March 6, two days after Blair was fired, Taverner withdrew his name from consideration for the job. The government then appointed York Regional Police deputy chief Thomas Carrique as OPP commissioner.
Allegations against Ford in Blair's $5-million defamation lawsuit have not been proven in court. The premier's office said Ford will be replying through his legal counsel.
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/new ... statement/
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9527 ... statement/
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provin ... nstatement
Michael Jack, Administrator