Chief Blair Not Required to Testify over G20 ‘Kettling’ Hearing

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The retired judge presiding over the G20 incident hearing, John Hamilton, announced in a ruling on Wednesday that Toronto Police Chief, Bill Blair, does not need to necessarily testify at the disciplinary hearing for an officer accused of misconduct during the G20 summit four years ago. In his remarks, Hamilton stated that “I find Chief Blair is not a compellable witness at this hearing.”

Explaining his ruling, Mr. Hamilton elucidated that Chief Blair is allowed to delegate his authority to a retired judge and since he has done that already, the chief maintains the status of a hearing officer. Furthermore, Hamilton stressed that if Chief Blair was summoned, it would “trample on procedural fairness.” Whereas on the other hand, lawyers representing multiple complainants involved in the disciplinary hearing of Superintendent David (Mark) Fenton alleged that it was very important for Chief Blair to testify and clarify his role in ordering or approving of the “kettling” incidents that occurred during the 2010 summit. The highest-ranking Toronto officer facing charges in the case, Supt. Fenton, is charged with five offense under the Police Services Act, including unlawful arrest and discreditable conduct.

The lawyer representing two complainants who requested Chief Blair’s testimony, Paul Cavalluzzo, alleged that “I’m disappointed in his ruling,” but “that does not mean that Chief Blair cannot come and voluntarily testify to clarify what in fact he approved because as it stands now … the evidence is that Mr. Fenton says that the Chief approved of his kettling and boxing in hundreds of Canadians who were peacefully protesting.”