Jay Barbeau, the CAO of West Nipissing said in a news release this afternoon that with respect to the Police Board Chair’s assertion regarding lack of consultation, "it is important to be aware that there is no legal requirement to consult in any specific manner except to ensure that the information obtained meets legislative requirements and is of a sufficient nature to permit a decision to be made."
See: West Nipissing Police Board shut out of OPP takeover plans says Chairman
"It is my duty to respond to the specific statements made by the Police Services Board, as I, as Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality of West Nipissing, was directed by Council to lead the process of obtaining the OPP costing proposal and for carrying out the ensuing transition process.
"In the time frame beginning on October 18, 2016 when Council directed that a costing proposal be obtained, to November 14, 2018, when the costing proposal was provided by the OPP, there was a significant exchange of information between the West Nipissing Police Service, the Municipality of West Nipissing and the OPP which enabled the OPP to provide its Costing Proposal.
"With respect to issues of transition, the West Nipissing Police Board does not play any role in selecting or approving sites for the Ontario Provincial Police. Site selection and approval is solely the responsibility of the OPP working with the Municipality of West Nipissing, whose legislative responsibility pursuant to Section 4 of the Police Service Act is to “provide adequate and effective police services”.
"When the confirmation regarding the proposed permanent and temporary sites was received from the OPP, the information was brought immediately to Council so that it could be disseminated and shared publicly. It is unfortunate that the West Nipissing Police Board would refuse to provide the requested letter to the Ontario Civilian Policing Commission; however what is required by OCPC is simply a statement that the various employee groups’ interests have been protected throughout the process and that what is being set out in the requisite severance agreements is acceptable. The earlier that this statement can be provided, the more expeditiously the entire transition process can be carried out."
