Ron Taverner was supposed to be at the helm of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) going into the final weeks of 2018, but instead he has returned to his job at Toronto police and Gary Couture has taken command of the OPP.
What started out as a surprise announcement, now has the integrity commissioner involved, looking into how exactly Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, was named to the top job at the provincial police force.
Taverner is a longtime family friend of Doug Ford, but the premier has denied any involvement.
Few details about the hiring process have been publically revealed, but here is what we know about the timeline:
June 18, 2018 - Newly-elected Premier Doug Ford attends the Toronto Police Chief invitational, where he is pictured dining together with Supt. Ron Taverner and Mario Di Tommaso. Di Tommaso, who at this point is Taverner’s supervisor at Toronto police, will eventually be made deputy minister of community safety and interview Taverner for the OPP commissioner’s position.
July 25 - Premier Doug Ford meets with OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes.
Sept. 7 - Vince Hawkes announces his retirement.
Oct. 9 - Ford’s schedule shows a “Local Police Lunch” with Ron Taverner at Wally’s Grill in Etobicoke. The premier’s schedule, which is not released to the public, was obtained by the NDP under Freedom of Information laws.
Oct. 22 - Di Tommasso is appointed deputy minister of community safety.
Oct. 22 - A job posting for OPP commissioner goes live, requesting the applicant hold the rank of "deputy police chief or higher or assistant commissioner or higher in a major police service."
Oct. 24 - The job posting amended to delete the rank requirements.
Nov. 2 – Vince Hawkes retires, handing over command to interim OPP Commissioner Brad Blair.
Nov. 12 - The first round interviews are held, according Blair.
Nov. 20 - The second round interviews held, according to Blair.
Nov. 25 - Four days before Taverner is announced as the new commissioner of the OPP, he is pictured with Premier Doug Ford at a charity event. The event, held by Jake’s House, is described as a gathering “to fete our inaugural Legend of Distinction: the now OPP Commissioner, Ron Taverner."
Nov. 29 - Taverner is announced as the new OPP commissioner.
Dec. 4 - Ford holds his first news conference about Taverner's appointment, saying "I had zero influence."
Dec. 5 - NDP MPP Kevin Yarde formally requests an investigation by the integrity commissioner.
Dec. 8 - Taverner speaks with CTV News Toronto, saying he is "nervous and excited" about taking over the position
Dec. 11 –Blair formally asks Ontario's ombudsman to review Taverner's appointment, citing growing concerns about “political interference.” The ombudsman declines.
Dec. 14 – Blair’s legal team applies to Ontario’s divisional court to force the ombudsman to investigate Taverner's appointment as Taverner resigns from Toronto police.
Dec. 15 - Taverner asks the minister of community safety to delay his appointment until the results of any investigation by the integrity commissioner.
Dec. 16 - Taverner rescinds his resignation from Toronto police. Saunders accepts and reinstates him as superintendent.
Dec. 17 - Brad Blair is removed from the role of interim commissioner Gary Couture is instead appointed to the role until the end of March
Dec. 18 - Ford holds his second news conference amid the controversy and stands by Taverner, saying he "will be the best commissioner the OPP has ever seen"
Dec. 20 - Saunders addresses the dinner between him, the premier and Taverner, saying he sat down for that meeting to address the “gun violence in the city”
Jan. 14, 2019 - OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair’s court application to expedite his court challenge against Ontario’s ombudsman is rejected. Blair’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, also tells reporters Blair is “facing serious personal and professional jeopardy for doing his job.” Premier Doug Ford accuses Blair of “sour grapes.”
Jan. 14 - Premier Doug Ford calls the OPP commissioner position a “political appointment.” Speaking to CP24, Ford says previous premiers, including Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty, had the power to make political appointments. “If I wanted to, I could appoint you OPP commissioner,” Ford tells anchor Nathan Downer.
NOTE: This article was edited on Jan. 16, 2019 to include additional details to the timeline and will continue to be updated with developments.
