Ford government removes Peel police board chair

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner is refusing to say why Ron Chatha was abruptly removed this week.

Thestar.com
April 13, 2023
Robert Benzie

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner is refusing to say why the chair of the Peel Region police services board was abruptly removed this week.

The Star has learned that Ron Chatha, a politically connected Brampton businessman reappointed to a second three-year term in January 2022, has quietly had his appointment revoked by Queen’s Park.

“We are in the process of renewal, and a replacement is forthcoming,” Kerzner’s junior press secretary, Hunter Kells, wrote in an email Wednesday.

Kells declined to elaborate on the reasons for the unexpected move.

In a statement, Chatha, a high-profile federal and provincial Conservative, said he was “immensely proud of the progress we have made in advancing our vision for a safer community together.”

A source close to him, speaking confidentially in order to discuss the delicate situation, said he was “blindsided” by the change Tuesday evening, as were Peel politicians and police brass.

Mississauga Coun. Alvin Tedjo (Ward 2) was shocked to hear of Chatha’s departure. “It is a serious action to remove a provincial appointee, and one that was just recently reappointed as chair,” Tedjo said, adding he felt “very disappointed” that Peel Regional Council wasn’t notified. “It was a surprise to learn (about the removal) through a news story as opposed to the province.”

Tedjo also called the lack of transparency about Chatha’s removal concerning. “The Peel Regional Police budget is our largest expense item,” he said. “Without any explanation, it leaves council to speculate.”

Tedjo said he hopes the solicitor general will provide more information about the decision and the province’s plans for Chatha’s replacement.

“The police are doing a lot of important work right now and they are in the middle of some transformational activity,” he said. “We can’t be underserved by not having enough members of the board.”

Joe Horneck, councillor for Mississauga’s Ward 6, brought attention to the “critical vote” taking place on Thursday, where regional council is set to decide on a citizen appointee for the Region of Peel -- a police board position separate from Chatha’s former role.

The vote will be held in camera, between two candidates who were put forward after weeks of vetting. “I don’t know if the two things are connected in any way,” he said. “It’s very interesting timing honestly, it’s so befuddling.”

Chatha was gracious in his statement, saying it was a “transition away from my role on the board” that would allow him to “shift my focus to better support my family and grow my business.”

“I am confident that the board will continue to thrive and I extend my best wishes for their continued success,” he said.

In 2021, Chatha served as national outreach chair for Kevin O’ Leary’s campaign for the federal Conservative party leadership.

A prominent local real estate broker, he has been an influential provincial Tory in a region where Premier Doug Ford’s party holds all the seats.

At the Jan. 27 Peel police board meeting, the well-regarded provincial appointee was re-elected by board members as chair of the civilian oversight panel.

“It is my privilege to continue to serve as chair of the Peel Police Services Board,” Chatha said at the time.

“I am honoured that my board colleagues chose once again to place their trust in me and for allowing me the opportunity to serve in this important role,” he said.

“As a board we have tackled some very important issues in our community in 2022, like auto thefts and carjackings and bail reform, and I look forward to working with Chief (Nishan) Duraiappah and Peel Regional Police on focusing on community safety and well-being.”

The surprise move comes as Kerzner, a rookie cabinet minister elected last June, has come under fire over the government’s failure to enact a four-year-old law to stop police officers charged with serious crimes from collecting their pay.

He told the legislature last week that the 2019 law cannot be put into force until specific regulations around the changes are completed. The opposition New Democrats and Liberals have blasted the Tories for not moving more quickly.