July 9, 2010 –
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) strongly welcomes the number of independent reviews and investigations being established to review G20-related policing and governance. The CCLA was deeply concerned about the secretive and, at times, excessive measures the government undertook in creating a security environment for the G20 Summit. We were equally concerned by instances of serious police misconduct that occurred during it. The CCLA has been calling for a independent inquiry into G20 governance and policing at both the federal and the provincial level. While the reviews and investigations listed below a good start, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive and independent inquiry to examine all levels of decision-making related to G20 planning and policing.
Most of the reviews and investigations listed below are open to the public and have called for public submissions and input. The CCLA strongly encourages anyone who has an opinion on G20-related governance and policing to take part in these processes. Write a letter or email, phone a public official, attend a meeting!
Toronto Police Services Board – Independent Civilian Review of G20 policing
The Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) is the civilian oversight body for the Toronto Police Service. On July 6, the Board accepted a proposal by the Chair of the TPSB to establish an Independent Civilian Review of G20-related policing. The Board called for the Independent Civilian Review to “identify and study issues raised by the public and Board members regarding oversight, governance, accountability, transparency and the communications and supervision issues arising” from G20-related policing. The Independent Civilian Review will not, however, deal with individual complaints of specific police misconduct as this is the purview of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
The TPSB is currently drafting the Terms of Reference for the Independent Civilian Review and nominating a person to fill that role. The TPSB is accepting written submissions from the public on what the scope and role of the review should be. Please consider writing to the TPSB to tell them them the kind of matters you think the Independent Civilian Review should investigate. The TPSB will release the draft Terms of Reference in the week of July 19. There will then be a public meeting on July 22, where members of the public can express their opinions on the draft terms, following which the TPSB will vote on whether to accept them.
Read: CCLA’s Letter to Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the TPSB, regarding Independent Civilian Review Terms of Reference, dated July 15, 2010 (No-graphic accessibility document available here)
Contact: Alok Mukherjee, Chair, Toronto Police Services Board, 40 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2J3, Tel: 416-808-8080, Fax: 416-808-8083, Email: board@tpsb.ca
Special Investigation Unit – Ministry of the Attorney-General of Ontario
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving the police and civilians that have resulted in a serious injury or death. It reports directly to the Attorney-General of Ontario (although it is independent of it) and can direct criminal charges to be laid against police officers where warranted on the basis of the evidence gathered during an investigation. The SIU has announced that it is currently investigating five difference incidents of serious injuries that have occurred to civilians during G20-related policing. SIU investigations are confidential and not open to the public.
If you suffered a serious injury as a result of police conduct during the G20, please contact the SIU.
Contact: Ian Scott, Director, Special Investigation Unit, 5090 Commerce Boulevard, Mississauga, ON L4W 5M4, Tel: 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529, Fax: 416-622-2455, Email: ian.scott@ontario.ca
Office of the Ontario Ombudsman – Investigation into “secret G20 policing law”
The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman is an independent government watch-dog agency mandated to “ensure government accountability through effective oversight of the administration of government services”. On July 9, the Ombudsman announced that he would be launching an investigation “into the origin and subsequent communication of the controversial security regulation passed by the province prior to the June 26-27 G20 summit.” The security regulation is actually Regulation 233/10 under the Public Works Protection Act. To date, he has received 22 complaints from the public over the matter — especially over the public perception that government and police officials misled the public over the powers awarded police to search people within 5m of the G20 fence.
The Ombudsman is still accepting complaints through the office’s website and is accepting public submissions on the topic. If you have something to say, write to him!
Read: CCLA’s letter to the Ombudsman of Ontario regarding Regulation 233/10, dated July 9, 2010 and CCLA’s letter to Solicitor-General Bartolucci regarding Regulation 233/10, dated June 25, 2010.
Contact: André Marin, Ombudsman of Ontario, 483 Bay Street, 10th Floor, South Tower, Toronto, ON M5G 2C9, Tel: 1-800-263-1830, Fax: 416-586-3485, Email: info@ombudsman.on.ca
