NDP wants key Taverner witnesses to testify at Justice Committee

QUEEN’S PARK — The Official Opposition will seek unanimous consent from all MPPs Monday to have the Justice Committee call witnesses with knowledge of the backroom decision-making that went into the decision to appoint ally Ron Taverner as head of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

“The report by the Integrity Commissioner painted a picture of a campaign of pressure to get Ron Taverner into the top job at the OPP,” said NDP deputy leader Sara Singh, who sits on the Justice Committee. “That pressure was being exerted by the lobbyists and staffers in the premier’s inner circle, and the people of Ontario deserve to hear directly from those backroom operators.

“Why was lobbyist Chris Froggatt doing Ford a favour by helping Taverner? Why was secretary of cabinet Steve Orsini feeling pressure to get Taverner installed into the commissioner’s chair? We need answers to these questions, and many more.”

The Justice Committee hearing would allow committee members from all parties to call witnesses and ask questions. Among the New Democrats’ witness list would be:

• Dean French, Chief of Staff to Ford
• Steve Orsini, former secretary of cabinet
• Chris Froggatt, who became a lobbyist after heading Ford’s transition team
• Mario Di Tommaso, deputy minister to the minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
• Matt Torrigian, former deputy minister to the minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

“We need to hear directly from the people who were working in the backrooms to ensure Doug Ford got what he wanted,” said Singh. “If the Conservatives in Doug Ford’s caucus are genuinely certain that they did nothing wrong, they should welcome the opportunity to clear the air and learn some lessons.”