Karen Howlett
Toronto — Globe and Mail Update Published on Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010 9:27AM EDT Last updated on Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010 3:19PM EDT
Ontario’s new top cop is a career Ontario Provincial Police officer who spent the past three years overseeing a long-running land-claim dispute in Caledonia, Ont.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced on Wednesday that he has appointed Chris Lewis as Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Mr. Lewis, who began his career 32 years ago as a constable in Kapuskasing, Ont., replaces outgoing Commissioner Julian Fantino as of August 1.
“I guess it goes without saying that I couldn't be more pleased to be here,” Mr. Lewis told reporters at the provincial legislature, where he was flanked by Mr. McGuinty and Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci. “I'm very humbled and very honoured.”
“After a thorough search, it was clear that Commissioner Lewis is a great fit,” Mr. McGuinty told reporters.
Mr. Lewis, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, has been Deputy Commissioner since 2007. In that role, he oversaw the delivery of front-line police services to more than 300 municipalities and First
He is also responsible for policing native and non-native protesters in Caledonia near Hamilton, a dispute that became hugely controversial for his predecessor.
Mr. Lewis told reporters the OPP’s handling of the sometimes volatile four-year native occupation of the former Douglas Creek Estates will not change once he becomes Commissioner. He also said he does not think he has inherited a problem.
“It really is not a standoff at this point,” Mr. Lewis said. “It’s a very peaceful community. There are people on the disputed land. We are not having any problems there.”
However, the four-year tenure of Mr. Fantino was marred by controversy over the Caledonia land dispute. Gary McHale, a citizen activist who has repeatedly accused the OPP of being too lenient with the Six Nations occupiers, sought to have Mr. Fantino prosecuted for allegedly trying to influence municipal officials in the dispute. But the Crown withdrew the charge last February, saying it had no prospect of success.
Mr. Fantino was not available for an interview on Wednesday to discuss his plans. There have been rumours that he is considering running for mayor of Vaughan, north of Toronto, this November.
His departure was expected. When the government extended his contract last year, it was made it clear that he would be replaced one month after the G8 and G20 summits. Mr. Fantino has been at the helm of the force since 2006 - the usual appointment time is three years. He began his career at the age of 27 in 1969 as a cadet with the Toronto Police Service.
Mr. Lewis described Mr. Fantino as a “personal friend and mentor.”