Dear Mr. Harper,
Toronto has long been proud of our women and men in uniform who protect our city, and provide an invaluable service to its people. The security of the G20, however, has soured the People’s view of the Toronto Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Ontario Provincial Police. With videos and photographic displays showing what appears to be excessive force and an abandon of the Charter, Torontonians cannot trust their Police or feel safe.
Obviously these videos and photos only show one side of the coin, and I do hope, along with all of my fellow Torontonians that the Police are honourable and were only acting within the boundaries of the law. And so, I must request that the Canadian Government act swiftly and open an independent inquiry into the behaviour of the Integrated Security Unit. If no wrong doings occurred, then Torontonians will be able to once again show pride in their Police; if, however, it is found that the Police overstepped then we’ll find a place to put blame, and I trust that the Government will take the appropriate action.
As the Prime Minister who led the Conservative Party of Canada to their first victory on a platform of honesty and accountability in the wake of the Sponsorship Scandal, I know that honour will dictate your decisions, and you will do the right thing.
Thank you for your time,
Adam M. Anklewicz
cc:
Jack Layton, MP Toronto-Danforth
Michael Ignatieff, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
David Miller, Mayor of Toronto
William Blair, Chief of Police
An addendum:
Jack Layton replied with a form letter. I replied to him with…
Dear Mr. Layton, as my representative in Parliament I’d appreciate a constructive dialogue, rather than a form letter. Your letter in no way addresses the one thing I wrote about, asking for an independent inquiry in police measures during the G20.
Thank you kindly and a happy Canada Day,
Adam M. Anklewicz