2/27/2019 Ontario deputy commissioner threatens to sue Ford after premier allegedly accuses him of breaking Police Services Act | National Post

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/opp-deputy-commissioner-threatens-to-sue-premier-ford-over-alleged-defamation 1/6

TORONTO — One of Ontario’s highest-ranking police officers is

threatening to sue Premier Doug Ford accusing him of defamation.

In a notice of intent to sue filed last month, lawyers for Ontario

Provincial Police Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair allege that Ford

damaged the officer’s reputation when he accused him of breaking

the Police Services Act by speaking out against the hiring of a Ford

family friend for the force’s top job.

Ontario deputy commissioner threatens tosue Ford after premier allegedly accuseshim of breaking Police Services Act'Specifically, it is alleged that you intentionally, deliberately, andmaliciously made statements you knew or ought to have known to befalse,' Blair's lawyer said in a letter to Ford

OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair (left) is suing Premier Dog Ford for defamation after the premier allegedlyaccused him of breaking the Police Services Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS

THE CANADIAN PRESS

SHAWN JEFFORDS

February 25, 2019 5:34 PM EST

February 26, 2019

8:28 AM EST

Filed underNews Canada

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2/27/2019 Ontario deputy commissioner threatens to sue Ford after premier allegedly accuses him of breaking Police Services Act | National Post

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/opp-deputy-commissioner-threatens-to-sue-premier-ford-over-alleged-defamation 2/6

Blair’s lawyer Julian Falconer further alleges that Ford’s comments

were meant to intimidate his client, who publicly criticized Toronto

police superintendent Ron Taverner’s appointment as OPP

commissioner.

“Specifically, it is alleged that you intentionally, deliberately, and

maliciously made statements you knew or ought to have known to be

false,” Falconer said in a letter to Ford.

Falconer said Ford told media that Blair had allegedly violated the

act, when there is no evidence the veteran officer did so at any time

during his career.

“The preparation, distribution and publication of these defamatory

words have caused extensive harm to Deputy Commissioner Blair’s

professional and personal reputation, as well as other damages to be

specified at a later date,” Falconer said.

In December, Blair said OPP officers had expressed concerns the

selection process which resulted in Taverner’s appointment was

unfair and could raise doubts about the police service’s

independence.

S E E A L S O

Christie Blatchford: Reviewing fishy Taverner hire for OPP chief won’t changeFord’s mind

Kelly McParland: Taverner can’t be an effective OPP leader under this cloud

Ron Taverner to return to old job with Toronto police amidst controversy overOPP commissioner role

Blair, who was also in the running for the commissioner’s job, also

suggested that Taverner’s appointment be delayed until an

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

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2/27/2019 Ontario deputy commissioner threatens to sue Ford after premier allegedly accuses him of breaking Police Services Act | National Post

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/opp-deputy-commissioner-threatens-to-sue-premier-ford-over-alleged-defamation 3/6

investigation could be conducted by the province’s ombudsman.

After the ombudsman declined to investigate, Blair launched a legal

challenge in an attempt to force the watchdog to probe the hiring.

Ontario’s Divisional Court is expected to hear the case in April.

The court documents filed in the case also contain more details

about Blair’s allegations that Ford’s chief of staff asked the OPP to

purchase a “larger camper type vehicle” and have it modified to the

specifications of the premier’s office, with the costs associated with

the vehicle “kept off the books.”

The documents show the cost to taxpayers for the van remodel

would be over $50,000, not including the cost of the vehicle itself.

The custom features were to include a 32-inch television with Blu-

Ray player, a mini-fridge, black leather captain’s chairs and a

reclining leather sofa bench, the documents said.

A spokesman for Ford said Monday that the premier asked the OPP

to look into obtaining a “cost-effective used van” for him to work and

travel in across the province.

“The emails sent to the OPP from a member of the premier’s office

staff are not an official procurement of a van, instead they are a cost

estimate and reveal an effort to minimize expense,” Simon Jefferies

said in an email.

It is alleged that you intentionally,deliberately, and maliciously made

statements you knew or ought tohave known to be false

-

Blair’s lawyers said they filed the notice of intent to sue for

defamation after the government failed to respond to four letters

seeking to clarify if Blair was under a Police Services Act

investigation.

Jefferies denied Ford’s statements were a reprisal against Blair.

“Mr. Blair is an unsuccessful candidate, and still appears to be clearly

upset that he did not get the job,” he said, adding that the premier

would respond to any legal proceedings through his counsel if

necessary.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called Ford’s actions “shameful” and

said his comments were an attempt to intimidate Blair.

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2/27/2019 Ontario deputy commissioner threatens to sue Ford after premier allegedly accuses him of breaking Police Services Act | National Post

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/opp-deputy-commissioner-threatens-to-sue-premier-ford-over-alleged-defamation 4/6

“I think it’s another indicator of this government’s desire to put a chill

on anybody that’s going to speak out against them,” she said.

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