On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario, orders that:

whereas section 3 of the Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, chapter P.15, requires the Solicitor General to:

  • Monitor police forces to ensure that adequate and effective police services are provided at the municipal and provincial levels;
  • Monitor boards and police forces to ensure that the comply with prescribed standards of service; and
  • Conduct a system of inspection and review of police forces across Ontario.

and whereas it has been determined that it is desirable, pursuant to the prerogative of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, and in the discharge of the government’s executive obligations and responsibilities, to establish an Independent Panel to assist the Minister in fulfilling these obligations as it relates to the operation of the Ontario Provincial Police;

therefore, pursuant to the prerogative of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario to provide for the appointment of advisors to serve Her Majesty’s Government of Ontario in the discharge of its executive obligations and responsibilities:

  1. The Ontario Provincial Police Independent Review Panel (“Independent Review Panel”) is hereby established.
  2. Members of the Independent Review Panel will be appointed to serve at pleasure by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council for a term required to fulfill the requirements of this Order, such term not to extend beyond October 31st, 2019.
  3. The Members of the Independent Review Panel shall perform such duties and carry out such activities as are set out in the Terms of Reference attached as an Appendix to this Order, such Terms of Reference being subject to any variance or amendments as the Solicitor General deems appropriate.
  4. The Independent Review Panel shall at all times consider and respect the independence of the Ontario Provincial Police with respect to specific investigations, the conduct of specific operations, the discipline of specific police officers and the day-to-day administration of the Ontario Provincial Police.
  5. The Independent Review Panel may retain such expert advice as it considers necessary in the performance of its duties at rates set by any applicable directives of the Management Board of Cabinet. The expenses for such expert advice shall not exceed $100,000. Persons retained shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their duties in accordance with applicable Management Board of Cabinet directives.
  6. The Independent Review Panel will stay within an operating budget of $100,000 which is approved by the Minister and the Treasury Board of Cabinet.
  7. All remuneration, expenses and operating budget will be the responsibility of the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
  8. Members of the Independent Review will be provided with administrative and legal support through Treasury Board Secretariat.
  9. The Independent Review Panel will deliver an interim report containing initial findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Solicitor General on or before July 31th 2019.
  10. The Independent Review Panel will deliver a final report containing findings, conclusions and recommendations, including an implementation plan for any such recommendations, to the Solicitor General on or before September 30st 2019.
  11. The Solicitor General shall make the full report or a summary of the report public at the earliest opportunity after receipt of the report.
  12. The Members of the Independent Review Panel shall be subject to the applicable laws of Ontario, the Management Board of Cabinet’s Agencies and Appointments Directive, 2017 and any successor thereto, and to all other applicable government directives, policies and guidelines unless otherwise exempted.
  13. All Ministries and in particular the Ontario Provincial Police shall, subject to any privilege or other legal restriction and subject to paragraph 5 of this Order, assist the Independent Review Panel to the fullest extent possible in fulfilling the Terms of Reference of the Independent Review Panel.
Ministry of the Solicitor General

Approved and Ordered: May 02, 2019