Bill 46 2003

An Act to provide for
a public inquiry to discover
the truth about events at
Ipperwash Provincial Park
leading to the death of
Dudley George

Preamble

Early in September of 1995, there occurred a series of events involving the Ontario Provincial Police and demonstrators representing members of the First Nations at Ipperwash Provincial Park. The events led to the death of Dudley George, one of the First Nations demonstrators. Allegations have been raised that the then Premier of Ontario and members of his government were involved in these events. These events have raised concerns among all parties in the Legislature and many Ontarians.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Appointment of Commission

1. (1) Within 60 days after this Act comes into force, the Premier of Ontario shall recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that a Commission be appointed under section 2 of the Public Inquiries Act,

(a) to inquire into and report on events surrounding the death of Dudley George; and

(b) to make recommendations directed to the avoidance of violence in similar circumstances.

Commission's term of office

(2) The Commission shall hold office until three months after the Commission's final report is submitted to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Removal for cause

(3) The Commission is removable at any time for cause by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the address of the Assembly.

Powers of Commission

2. Part III of the Public Inquiries Act applies to the Commission and to the inquiry.

Timing of inquiry

3. The Commission shall begin the inquiry within 60 days after being appointed.

Reports

4. (1) The Commission shall submit an interim report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council within six months after the inquiry begins.

Final report

(2) The Commission shall submit a final report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council within 12 months after the inquiry begins.

Report to be made public

(3) The Commission shall make the final report public within 10 days after submitting it to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Time limits may be extended

5. The Lieutenant Governor in Council may extend the time limits for submitting the interim and final reports, and may extend the term of office of the commission.

Commencement

6. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

7. The short title of this Act is the Truth About Ipperwash Act, 2003.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill requires the Premier to recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that a Commission be appointed to inquire into and report on the death of Dudley George, and to make recommendations directed to the avoidance of violence in similar circumstances. The Commission is given powers under the Public Inquiries Act. Once the inquiry begins, the Commission must make an interim report in six months, and a final report in 12 months.