Does this surprise anyone at all?
It's a joke what our elected leaders do, and then the opposition parties get all up in arms because they want they same power.
I thank the CBC for being on top of stories like this.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ontario's Liberal government used its majority Tuesday to block opposition attempts to force top brass from eHealth Ontario to appear before a legislative committee.
The Conservatives and New Democrats wanted the committee to dig deeper into spending and expense abuses at eHealth, a problem that has since cropped up at other agencies and boards.
But the Liberals unanimously out-voted the opposition parties without offering an explanation.
The opposition has been complaining about eHealth since June, after it was learned the agency awarded $16 million in untendered contracts to consultants.
It was also discovered that some consultants who were paid up to $2,700 a day billed extra for snacks and beverages.
The government subsequently fired Sarah Kramer, CEO of the electronic health records agency. Kramer reportedly received nearly $317,000 in compensation, the equivalent of 10 months' salary.
The Liberals also promised an independent review of procurement practices at eHealth by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. But in July, Health Minister David Caplan quietly dropped the review at the request of eHealth, saying it would duplicate the work of Ontario's auditor general.
In August, Premier Dalton McGuinty denied intervening in Kramer's appointment over the objections of some civil servants.
McGuinty appealed to everyone paid with taxpayers' money, whether in government or at an arms-length agency, to follow the rules.
The premier has dismissed suggestions his government has lost control over the 600 agencies, boards and commissions, and warned against tarring all public workers with the same brush.
CBC.CA
critter cartoon
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Poor Mr. Bryant.
Poor former AG of Ontario Micheal Bryant sits in the back of a cruiser.
Poor Mr. Bryant is facing some serious charges
Poor Mr. Bryant claims he's innocent.
Poor Mr. Bryant has hired a PR firm for damage control.
Poor Mr. Bryant has hired his own forensic investigators
Poor Mr. Bryant resigned from his position as CEO of Invest Toronto.
Poor Mr. Bryant can't leave the country or drive a motor vehicle.
I hope a few "Damn Street Racers" and former Pit Bull owners who's dogs have been euthinized sit on the jury and decide your fate!
Dalton Gang scrambles to control OLG scandal damage
Another Scandal for the "Dalton Gang"
Big sweeping changes and a house cleaning at the OLG is to little and to late!
Perhaps Dalton should hire the same PR firm that Mr.Bryant has for damage control!
Premier Dalton McGuinty will be returning early from a holiday break to speak on the latest scandal involving board members of a provincially-controlled organization and how his government intends to rein in such spending.
The entire board of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) resigned Monday. They were replaced temporarily by provincial civil servants. Their first act involved the firing of Kelly McDougald, the agency's CEO.
"I am disappointed with what has been brought to my attention," Finance Minister Dwight Duncan told a news conference on Monday. "The expenses are a symptom of a much larger problem."
McDougald was "dismissed with cause," Duncan said and therefore will not receive a severance package. Former board chair Michael Gough said he wasn't asked to quit, but did offer his resignation last Thursday.
The Liberals publicly released two years worth of expenses that were filed by OLG board members. They include:
•gym memberships worth $250
•Weight Watchers memberships
•club link golf fees
•a $1,500 bar tab at a $3,700 dinner for 38 people
•a $500 nanny fee so that a vice-president member could attend meetings, an amount since repaid
The OLG acknowledged Monday that the spending was unacceptable for a public agency.
In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2007, OLG had more than $6 billion in revenues, with net income of about $1.7 billion.
Duncan, who took on responsibility for OLG said the government is launching a province-wide review of accountability procedures for the government's agencies, boards and commissions. He hinted a new "mechanism for accountability" would be able to offer early detection of brewing problems, he suggested.
He also dropped another bombshell -- OLG had been issuing untendered contracts.
Such contracts were a major part of the controversy surround eHealth Ontario, the electronic health records agency that also saw its CEO and board chair depart after revelations of excessive spending and the issuing of sole-source contracts.
McGuinty announced the end of sole-sourced contracts and new restrictions on the types of expenditures for which consultants can seek reimbursement.
"This is the right (step) to take in terms of the public and across government, we need to make sure that we have rigorous accountability for all Crown agencies," Duncan said.
Opposition MPPs say the reason the government is acting now is because Monday was the deadline for releasing the results of Freedom of Information requests made by them months ago.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said the newest scandal shows the McGuinty government isn't in control.
"Dalton McGuinty said the eHealth scandal was the exception to the rule. What we learned today is that it is the rule," he said.
"They went out and fired the last group and brought in a group to clean it up. And this group seems to be even better at getting into the pork barrel," said the NDP's Michael Prue.
McDougald had joined OLG in 2007.
Controversy plagues OLG
The gaming corporation has been scrutinized for the last two years after questionable insider wins, malfunctioning slot machines, spoiled scratch-and-win tickets and a controversial decision to purchase foreign cars as lottery prizes at a time when the Ontario government agreed to a financial bailout for its struggling auto industry.
An audit of the OLG was completed in February. The corporation had until September to report to the ombudsman about changes it had made to improve accountability.
"We've been trying to create change in this place for some time," Duncan told reporters. "Frankly I'm not satisfied with performance to date at the OLG so we took steps over the course of the last few weeks to ensure that the direction given in the past is followed moving forward."
The temporary board "will work with a mandate to maximize OLG's performance," said Duncan.
He added that he hopes the OLG will operate with "better oversight and better credibility" in order to "enhance taxpayer protection."
The shake-up comes just weeks ahead of a provincial byelection in the midtown Toronto riding of St. Paul's, which has been a Liberal seat since 1999.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss and files from The Canadian Press
CTV.CA
Big sweeping changes and a house cleaning at the OLG is to little and to late!
Perhaps Dalton should hire the same PR firm that Mr.Bryant has for damage control!
Premier Dalton McGuinty will be returning early from a holiday break to speak on the latest scandal involving board members of a provincially-controlled organization and how his government intends to rein in such spending.
The entire board of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) resigned Monday. They were replaced temporarily by provincial civil servants. Their first act involved the firing of Kelly McDougald, the agency's CEO.
"I am disappointed with what has been brought to my attention," Finance Minister Dwight Duncan told a news conference on Monday. "The expenses are a symptom of a much larger problem."
McDougald was "dismissed with cause," Duncan said and therefore will not receive a severance package. Former board chair Michael Gough said he wasn't asked to quit, but did offer his resignation last Thursday.
The Liberals publicly released two years worth of expenses that were filed by OLG board members. They include:
•gym memberships worth $250
•Weight Watchers memberships
•club link golf fees
•a $1,500 bar tab at a $3,700 dinner for 38 people
•a $500 nanny fee so that a vice-president member could attend meetings, an amount since repaid
The OLG acknowledged Monday that the spending was unacceptable for a public agency.
In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2007, OLG had more than $6 billion in revenues, with net income of about $1.7 billion.
Duncan, who took on responsibility for OLG said the government is launching a province-wide review of accountability procedures for the government's agencies, boards and commissions. He hinted a new "mechanism for accountability" would be able to offer early detection of brewing problems, he suggested.
He also dropped another bombshell -- OLG had been issuing untendered contracts.
Such contracts were a major part of the controversy surround eHealth Ontario, the electronic health records agency that also saw its CEO and board chair depart after revelations of excessive spending and the issuing of sole-source contracts.
McGuinty announced the end of sole-sourced contracts and new restrictions on the types of expenditures for which consultants can seek reimbursement.
"This is the right (step) to take in terms of the public and across government, we need to make sure that we have rigorous accountability for all Crown agencies," Duncan said.
Opposition MPPs say the reason the government is acting now is because Monday was the deadline for releasing the results of Freedom of Information requests made by them months ago.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said the newest scandal shows the McGuinty government isn't in control.
"Dalton McGuinty said the eHealth scandal was the exception to the rule. What we learned today is that it is the rule," he said.
"They went out and fired the last group and brought in a group to clean it up. And this group seems to be even better at getting into the pork barrel," said the NDP's Michael Prue.
McDougald had joined OLG in 2007.
Controversy plagues OLG
The gaming corporation has been scrutinized for the last two years after questionable insider wins, malfunctioning slot machines, spoiled scratch-and-win tickets and a controversial decision to purchase foreign cars as lottery prizes at a time when the Ontario government agreed to a financial bailout for its struggling auto industry.
An audit of the OLG was completed in February. The corporation had until September to report to the ombudsman about changes it had made to improve accountability.
"We've been trying to create change in this place for some time," Duncan told reporters. "Frankly I'm not satisfied with performance to date at the OLG so we took steps over the course of the last few weeks to ensure that the direction given in the past is followed moving forward."
The temporary board "will work with a mandate to maximize OLG's performance," said Duncan.
He added that he hopes the OLG will operate with "better oversight and better credibility" in order to "enhance taxpayer protection."
The shake-up comes just weeks ahead of a provincial byelection in the midtown Toronto riding of St. Paul's, which has been a Liberal seat since 1999.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss and files from The Canadian Press
CTV.CA
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Toronto Police Service Police Officer Charged
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that a Toronto Police Service (TPS) officer is criminally responsible for a firearms discharge at a Toronto man and has caused criminal charges to be laid against the officer.
On August 20, 2007 at approximately 5:00 a.m. 21 year old Phabien Rhodius was driving a vehicle on Eglinton Avenue East. TPS officers stopped him. An interaction occurred between Mr. Rhodius and one of the officers. During this interaction the officer twice discharged his police firearm at Mr. Rhodius. Mr. Rhodius was injured as a result of the firearm discharge. He fled the scene in the vehicle. The incident was not reported to the SIU by the TPS.
On August 28, 2007 Mr. Rhodius turned himself in to the TPS. He faced a number of criminal charges, which led to a term of pretrial detention. When Mr. Rhodius was released from custody in March 2009 he contacted the SIU. A five-month SIU investigation followed.
Constable Boris Petkovic of the TPS is facing one charge of Aggravated Assault, contrary to s. 268 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and one charge of Discharge Firearm with Intent, contrary to s. 244 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
A summons was served on the officer today compelling his appearance before the Ontario Court of Justice, 60 Queen Street West, Toronto, on September 22, 2009, to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of fair trial interests, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.
SOURCE: Special Investigations Unit Frank Phillips, SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES, Telephone/No de
telephone: (416) 622-2342 or/ou 1-800-787-8529
SIU
On August 20, 2007 at approximately 5:00 a.m. 21 year old Phabien Rhodius was driving a vehicle on Eglinton Avenue East. TPS officers stopped him. An interaction occurred between Mr. Rhodius and one of the officers. During this interaction the officer twice discharged his police firearm at Mr. Rhodius. Mr. Rhodius was injured as a result of the firearm discharge. He fled the scene in the vehicle. The incident was not reported to the SIU by the TPS.
On August 28, 2007 Mr. Rhodius turned himself in to the TPS. He faced a number of criminal charges, which led to a term of pretrial detention. When Mr. Rhodius was released from custody in March 2009 he contacted the SIU. A five-month SIU investigation followed.
Constable Boris Petkovic of the TPS is facing one charge of Aggravated Assault, contrary to s. 268 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and one charge of Discharge Firearm with Intent, contrary to s. 244 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
A summons was served on the officer today compelling his appearance before the Ontario Court of Justice, 60 Queen Street West, Toronto, on September 22, 2009, to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of fair trial interests, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.
SOURCE: Special Investigations Unit Frank Phillips, SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES, Telephone/No de
telephone: (416) 622-2342 or/ou 1-800-787-8529
SIU
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Ontario moves to seize bike-theft suspect's property
Sounds like a Police State, where no conviction is needed, when the THUGS in Government Seize your property, sell it and cut up the proceeds for vote grabbing propaganda.
Anthony Reinhart
Last updated on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 02:56AM EDT
.Accused bicycle thief Igor Kenk is still a long way from justice on dozens of criminal charges, but that isn't stopping the Ontario government from moving to take ownership of his bike repair shop, pickup trucks and 2,292 bicycles seized in police raids across west-end Toronto last summer.
On Monday, Mr. Kenk will be hauled into court in handcuffs to face a forfeiture hearing under the Civil Remedies Act, a controversial law that allows the province to seize and sell property deemed to be connected to crime, regardless of whether its owner has been criminally convicted or even charged. If government lawyers can link Mr. Kenk's property to the “large-scale organized bicycle theft ring and drug distribution network” police have accused him of operating, the province stands to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars, court documents suggest, based on the $700,000 value Mr. Kenk placed on his shop site, on a trendy stretch of Queen Street West, last year.
Globe and Mail
Anthony Reinhart
Last updated on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 02:56AM EDT
.Accused bicycle thief Igor Kenk is still a long way from justice on dozens of criminal charges, but that isn't stopping the Ontario government from moving to take ownership of his bike repair shop, pickup trucks and 2,292 bicycles seized in police raids across west-end Toronto last summer.
On Monday, Mr. Kenk will be hauled into court in handcuffs to face a forfeiture hearing under the Civil Remedies Act, a controversial law that allows the province to seize and sell property deemed to be connected to crime, regardless of whether its owner has been criminally convicted or even charged. If government lawyers can link Mr. Kenk's property to the “large-scale organized bicycle theft ring and drug distribution network” police have accused him of operating, the province stands to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars, court documents suggest, based on the $700,000 value Mr. Kenk placed on his shop site, on a trendy stretch of Queen Street West, last year.
Globe and Mail
Friday, August 28, 2009
Retired OPP officer faces sexual assault charges
Two in one week.......................see post below.
Updated: Thu Aug. 27 2009 12:58:44 PM
The Canadian Press
KAWARTHA LAKES, Ont. — A 62-year-old retired provincial police officer has been arrested and charged with two alleged sexual assaults.
Police say Robert George Lewis was on duty at the time of the alleged assaults between 1981 and 1987 in Kawartha Lakes, Ont.
Lewis, of Fenelon Falls, Ont., is charged with two counts of sexual assault, indecent assault and gross indecency.
He was released from custody after a bail hearing in Lindsay, Ont., on Wednesday and is scheduled to reappear in court on Sept. 10.
Lewis became a constable in 1967 and worked at the Downsview, Snelgrove (now Caledon), Minaki, Islington and Coboconk detachments.
He was posted at Coboconk, near Kawartha Lakes, from 1978 until his retirement in 1997.
CTV.CA
Updated: Thu Aug. 27 2009 12:58:44 PM
The Canadian Press
KAWARTHA LAKES, Ont. — A 62-year-old retired provincial police officer has been arrested and charged with two alleged sexual assaults.
Police say Robert George Lewis was on duty at the time of the alleged assaults between 1981 and 1987 in Kawartha Lakes, Ont.
Lewis, of Fenelon Falls, Ont., is charged with two counts of sexual assault, indecent assault and gross indecency.
He was released from custody after a bail hearing in Lindsay, Ont., on Wednesday and is scheduled to reappear in court on Sept. 10.
Lewis became a constable in 1967 and worked at the Downsview, Snelgrove (now Caledon), Minaki, Islington and Coboconk detachments.
He was posted at Coboconk, near Kawartha Lakes, from 1978 until his retirement in 1997.
CTV.CA
OPP Police Officer Charged............
OPP Police Officer Charged
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 27 /CNW/ - The Director of the Special
Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that
an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed criminal offences in
relation to a young female and has caused charges to be laid against the
officer.
The OPP - Kapuskasing Detachment contacted the SIU on August 13, 2009
regarding allegations of a sexual nature against one of their police officers.
The SIU assigned two investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the
circumstances of the occurrence.
As a result of the SIU investigation 31 year old Constable Jean-Guy
Beaudet of the OPP - Kapuskasing Detachment is facing one charge of Sexual
Assault, contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada and two charges of
Sexual Exploitation, contrary to s. 153 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Constable Beaudet was arrested today and subsequently released on a
Promise to Appear along with an Undertaking compelling his appearance before
the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at
10:00 a.m. to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of
the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of fair
trial interests, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this
investigation.
The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries
(including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police.
Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is
mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an
officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where
warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid
against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to
the Attorney General.
CNW.GROUP
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 27 /CNW/ - The Director of the Special
Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that
an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed criminal offences in
relation to a young female and has caused charges to be laid against the
officer.
The OPP - Kapuskasing Detachment contacted the SIU on August 13, 2009
regarding allegations of a sexual nature against one of their police officers.
The SIU assigned two investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the
circumstances of the occurrence.
As a result of the SIU investigation 31 year old Constable Jean-Guy
Beaudet of the OPP - Kapuskasing Detachment is facing one charge of Sexual
Assault, contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada and two charges of
Sexual Exploitation, contrary to s. 153 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Constable Beaudet was arrested today and subsequently released on a
Promise to Appear along with an Undertaking compelling his appearance before
the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at
10:00 a.m. to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of
the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of fair
trial interests, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this
investigation.
The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries
(including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police.
Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is
mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an
officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where
warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid
against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to
the Attorney General.
CNW.GROUP
Piglets left outside premier's office
Seven pink piglets in a makeshift pigpen were left outside Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's constituency office on Kilborn Avenue in Ottawa Tuesday morning.
The plywood pen, which contained some bedding, was found with a note saying they were a gift to the premier, as there is no market for small pigs and animals are consequently being euthanized.
McGuinty chuckled when asked about the incident Tuesday.
"I've never raised piglets before, so it wouldn't be fair to them for me to take on that responsibility," he said.
But he added that he sympathized with pork producers.
It's up to consumers to "wise up to reality," McGuinty said, and keep in mind that the H1N1 swine flu virus is transmitted to humans by other humans, not pigs.
"So, let's cut the pigs some slack," he said. "Let's go out there as Ontario consumers, and let's continue to buy good, quality, healthful Ontario pork."
City of Ottawa bylaw officers arrived at McGuinty's office Tuesday morning, examined the animals and found them in good health. They turned them over to the Ottawa Humane Society.
Whatever the motivations for leaving these pigs in the middle of the city, it's disturbing that someone would make a choice to abandon helpless animals like this," said Bruce Roney, executive director of the society, in a statement. "Now, we're left to care for these piglets on top of the hundreds of abandoned and homeless domestic animals we care for on a daily basis."
Christine Hodgins, who works for McGuinty's brother Dylan and found the animals when she showed up for work, said she didn't think much of the apparent protest either.
"All they're doing is endangering the public and endangering the pigs — the poor little baby pigs," she said. "They're not proving anything."
The piglets were expected to be moved to a foster farm later on Tuesday. The Ottawa Humane Society is investigating and said charges could be laid in the case.
Ontario hog farmers appealed to the Ontario and federal governments for help earlier this year, saying increasing costs for essentials like feed and fears around swine flu have made it difficult for them to earn a living.
The federal government has been working with pork farmers to develop a long-term loan program as well as an initiative to help pork producers get out of the hog industry.
CBC.CA
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Number four!
For cop in racing case, things move slowly
Clocked at 160 in April, not charged until August
Aug 20, 2009 04:30 AM
Robert Benzie
Queen's Park Bureau Chief
A senior OPP officer has been charged with street racing after a police cruiser was clocked at 160 km/h in a 90 km/h zone, the Star has learned.
While acting Staff Sgt. Mike Pilon was pulled over on April 14, charges were not filed until Aug. 6 – and he still has not been served with a court summons, said Ontario Provincial Police Supt. Jeff Dupuis.
Dupuis said yesterday there appears to be a procedural snag in Cochrane, where the incident took place, which has led to the unusual delay.
"It's never happened before," the superintendent said from North Bay.
"I'm not sure what the battle here is. If our guy is at fault, then he's at fault and let the chips fall where they may."
Pilon's Chevrolet Impala was pulled over four months ago on Highway 11 outside Cochrane, a remote community near Timmins that is about 700 kilometres north of Toronto.
Perhaps coincidentally, the charges were filed two weeks after OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino issued a July 20 edict imploring officers to drive safely because "the OPP's image and reputation are adversely affected by the unacceptable actions of a few."
Fantino, who successfully pushed the provincial government to increase penalties for reckless driving, has clamped down on speeders. The commissioner's crusade is credited with cutting speed-related deaths on Ontario highways by 42 per cent last year.
"He is not going to be happy about this," confided one source, noting Fantino has not been shy about reprimanding his own.
Even the elite OPP officers who guard Premier Dalton McGuinty are careful to obey the speed limit when ferrying him to and from events, which is one reason why he often runs late.
Under the new anti-racing laws, if Pilon is convicted he faces a fine of up to $10,000 or six months in jail, plus a licence suspension.
Last week, an undercover Durham Region police officer was charged with racing and had his unmarked car impounded after being accused by the OPP of driving 150 km/h on Highway 115 in Peterborough County.
The Toronto Star
Clocked at 160 in April, not charged until August
Aug 20, 2009 04:30 AM
Robert Benzie
Queen's Park Bureau Chief
A senior OPP officer has been charged with street racing after a police cruiser was clocked at 160 km/h in a 90 km/h zone, the Star has learned.
While acting Staff Sgt. Mike Pilon was pulled over on April 14, charges were not filed until Aug. 6 – and he still has not been served with a court summons, said Ontario Provincial Police Supt. Jeff Dupuis.
Dupuis said yesterday there appears to be a procedural snag in Cochrane, where the incident took place, which has led to the unusual delay.
"It's never happened before," the superintendent said from North Bay.
"I'm not sure what the battle here is. If our guy is at fault, then he's at fault and let the chips fall where they may."
Pilon's Chevrolet Impala was pulled over four months ago on Highway 11 outside Cochrane, a remote community near Timmins that is about 700 kilometres north of Toronto.
Perhaps coincidentally, the charges were filed two weeks after OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino issued a July 20 edict imploring officers to drive safely because "the OPP's image and reputation are adversely affected by the unacceptable actions of a few."
Fantino, who successfully pushed the provincial government to increase penalties for reckless driving, has clamped down on speeders. The commissioner's crusade is credited with cutting speed-related deaths on Ontario highways by 42 per cent last year.
"He is not going to be happy about this," confided one source, noting Fantino has not been shy about reprimanding his own.
Even the elite OPP officers who guard Premier Dalton McGuinty are careful to obey the speed limit when ferrying him to and from events, which is one reason why he often runs late.
Under the new anti-racing laws, if Pilon is convicted he faces a fine of up to $10,000 or six months in jail, plus a licence suspension.
Last week, an undercover Durham Region police officer was charged with racing and had his unmarked car impounded after being accused by the OPP of driving 150 km/h on Highway 115 in Peterborough County.
The Toronto Star
Friday, August 21, 2009
I guess this poor police officer is relieved to a certain extent!
Ten plaintiffs drop suit against police chief.
Police women will focus on human rights case against Dhinsa for alleged sexual harassment
August 21, 2009
Paul Morse
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 21, 2009)
Ten of 12 Hamilton police women have abandoned a $2-million lawsuit they filed against their police chief and police board over the force's handling of their sexual harassment allegations against Sergeant Kevin Dhinsa.
The 10 police officers "have decided to focus their efforts ... and, in doing so, they are putting their efforts into the human rights proceedings that personally involve Sergeant Dhinsa, and a (union) grievance procedure," said their lawyer Julian Falconer yesterday.
Hamilton police are trying to quash the $2-million lawsuit against Chief Brian Mullan, in-house police lawyer Marco Visentini and the police services board.
The 12 women -- 11 officers and one civilian employee -- first filed sexual harassment charges against Dhinsa three years ago, but have suffered a string of legal setbacks. They filed the negligence suit in December.
Dhinsa was charged with sexual harassment in June 2006 under the Police Services Act. But a police tribunal threw the charges out when it ruled Mullan had missed the deadline to charge him by eight days.
The women went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada in failed efforts to get the case heard.
In the lawsuit, women allege Mullan, the police board and Visentini negligently breached their duty of care to them by failing to provide a harassment-free workplace and failing to lay Dhinsa's charges in time.
Allegations contained in the women's statement of claim have not yet been tested in court.
Helen Pelton, lawyer for the two remaining Hamilton police plaintiffs, said yesterday: "Groups tend to have different ideas and, as time goes on, the differences seem to get magnified. Some of them wanted to seek another opinion and they did that."
Pelton said she has been told by her clients that Dhinsa recently returned to work. The Spectator was not able to confirm Dhinsa's return with police officials yesterday.
Falconer, a high-profile human rights lawyer who represented Maher Arar, a Canadian falsely suspected of terrorism, said the Hamilton police women have found themselves in a legal quagmire.
"This case is a classic example of how difficult it is for women police officers who literally face a whole host of legal impediments in getting justice on allegations of sexual harassment," he said.
"Our hope is, by focusing the proceedings and perhaps taking a narrower approach, that we can get them some justice."
pmorse@thespec.com
905-526-3434
The Spec
Police women will focus on human rights case against Dhinsa for alleged sexual harassment
August 21, 2009
Paul Morse
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 21, 2009)
Ten of 12 Hamilton police women have abandoned a $2-million lawsuit they filed against their police chief and police board over the force's handling of their sexual harassment allegations against Sergeant Kevin Dhinsa.
The 10 police officers "have decided to focus their efforts ... and, in doing so, they are putting their efforts into the human rights proceedings that personally involve Sergeant Dhinsa, and a (union) grievance procedure," said their lawyer Julian Falconer yesterday.
Hamilton police are trying to quash the $2-million lawsuit against Chief Brian Mullan, in-house police lawyer Marco Visentini and the police services board.
The 12 women -- 11 officers and one civilian employee -- first filed sexual harassment charges against Dhinsa three years ago, but have suffered a string of legal setbacks. They filed the negligence suit in December.
Dhinsa was charged with sexual harassment in June 2006 under the Police Services Act. But a police tribunal threw the charges out when it ruled Mullan had missed the deadline to charge him by eight days.
The women went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada in failed efforts to get the case heard.
In the lawsuit, women allege Mullan, the police board and Visentini negligently breached their duty of care to them by failing to provide a harassment-free workplace and failing to lay Dhinsa's charges in time.
Allegations contained in the women's statement of claim have not yet been tested in court.
Helen Pelton, lawyer for the two remaining Hamilton police plaintiffs, said yesterday: "Groups tend to have different ideas and, as time goes on, the differences seem to get magnified. Some of them wanted to seek another opinion and they did that."
Pelton said she has been told by her clients that Dhinsa recently returned to work. The Spectator was not able to confirm Dhinsa's return with police officials yesterday.
Falconer, a high-profile human rights lawyer who represented Maher Arar, a Canadian falsely suspected of terrorism, said the Hamilton police women have found themselves in a legal quagmire.
"This case is a classic example of how difficult it is for women police officers who literally face a whole host of legal impediments in getting justice on allegations of sexual harassment," he said.
"Our hope is, by focusing the proceedings and perhaps taking a narrower approach, that we can get them some justice."
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No more taxes after HST...I promise!
They had No Choice!
They wore these or I took away thier toys for 7 days!
No kidding!
"Damn Street Racer"pays with Brusies
