Bill 121 2010

An Act to require a public inquiry into government action and spending in connection with the G20 Summit

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

Interpretation

   1.  A reference in this Act to the G20 Summit is a reference to the G20 Summit held in the City of Toronto on June 26-27, 2010.

Commission

Appointment of commission

   2.  (1)  Within 60 days after this Act comes into force, the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint a commission under section 2 of the Public Inquiries Act to,

  (a)  inquire into and report on the decisions and actions of the Government of Ontario and of Ontario's law enforcement agencies in connection with the G20 Summit; and

  (b)  make recommendations to the Government of Ontario and to Ontario's law enforcement agencies about how to reduce spending, reduce arrests and reduce violence in connection with similar events that may be held in Ontario in the future.

Focus of commission

   (2)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the commission shall inquire into, report on and make recommendations on,

  (a)  whether the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ontarians were compromised in connection with the G20 Summit;

  (b)  how money was spent by the Province of Ontario in connection with the G20 Summit; and

   (c)  the exercise of powers under the Public Works Protection Act.

Powers of commission

   (3)  Despite subsection 15 (1) of the Public Inquiries Act, Part III of that Act applies to the inquiry.

Term of office

   3.  (1)  The commission shall hold office until 90 days after it submits its final report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Removal for cause

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

Extension of office

   (3)  Despite subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may extend the term of office of the commission.

Timing

   4.  (1)  Subject to subsection (2), the commission shall begin the inquiry within 60 days after being appointed.

Inquiry may be deferred

   (2)  The commission may defer beginning the inquiry if it is necessary to avoid prejudice to any person who is a party to court proceedings concerning matters that may be a subject of the inquiry.

Reports

Interim report

   5.  (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.

Extension of time

   (4)  Despite subsections (1) and (2), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may extend the times for submitting the interim and final reports.

Public Inquiries Act, 2009

   6.  (1)  This section applies only if this Act comes into force before the day on which section 3 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009 comes into force and the inquiry referred to in section 2 of this Act has not yet begun.

Same

   (2)  The Public Inquiries Act, as it read immediately before the day section 37 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009 comes into force, continues to apply in respect of this Act.

Amendments, Public Inquiries Act, 2009

   7.  (1)  This section applies only if this Act comes into force on or after the day on which section 3 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009 comes into force.

   (2)  Subsection 2 (1) of this Act is amended by striking out "appointed under section 2 of the Public Inquiries Act" in the portion before clause (a) and substituting "established under section 3 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009".

   (3)  Subsection 2 (3) of this Act is repealed.

   (4)  Subsection 3 (3) of this Act is repealed.

   (5)  Section 6 of this Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Conflict

   6.  In the event of a conflict between this Act and the Public Inquiries Act, 2009 or any of the rules and regulations made under that Act, this Act prevails.

Commencement

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

Short title

   9.  The short title of this Act is the G20 Public Inquiry Act, 2010.

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill requires the Lieutenant Governor in Council to appoint a commission under the Public Inquiries Act to inquire into and report on the decisions and actions of the Government of Ontario and of Ontario's law enforcement agencies in connection with the G20 Summit held in Toronto on June 26-27, 2010.  Specifically, the commission is required to inquire into and report on whether the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ontarians were compromised and how money was spent by the Province in connection with the Summit.  The commission is required to make recommendations on how to manage similar events that may be held in Ontario in the future and to submit an interim and a final report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council.