The Canadian Press - Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino says he intends to strongly defend himself against an allegation that he illegally influenced elected officials in Caledonia, Ont., the site of a long-running aboriginal occupation.
"I intend to vigorously defend myself and the OPP against this allegation and have the utmost confidence in the judicial system," Fantino said in a statement Saturday.
A summons was issued Friday against Fantino on one count of influencing or attempting to influence municipal officials -- a legal step required before charges could be officially laid and court dates set.
Activist Gary McHale has been pressing to have Fantino charged after the commissioner sent an email allegedly telling the mayor and councillors in Caledonia not to attend McHale's rallies.
McHale led a number of rallies to protest what he called two-tier justice in the policing of the land occupation in the town south of Hamilton.
In his statement, the commissioner also defended police efforts to keep the peace and protect the public in Caledonia during the land claims dispute.
"I am proud of the work that the men and women of the OPP have done in Caledonia over the years in a complex and, at times, extremely volatile environment," Fantino said.
"The OPP and its officers have taken a measured approach and acted in accordance with legislated responsibilities and exercised police discretion appropriately, fairly and equally," he added.
McHale has released to the media a copy of a letter he received from the Ministry of the Attorney General, which said the Crown will move immediately and assume prosecution of the case.
The letter also said a special prosecutor will be assigned from the Justice Prosecutions Unit, which was created to handle cases involving police or other justice officials and is made up of senior Crown counsels with extensive experience in criminal cases.
McHale said Friday he was informed by the court in Cayuga, Ont., that a judge signed a summons on a charge of influencing or attempting to influence municipal officials, a Criminal Code offence which carries up to a five-year prison term.
In an email to The Canadian Press, McHale said Fantino is summoned to appear before criminal court in Cayuga on Feb. 3 at 10 a.m.
In a decision released last week, Ontario Superior Court justice David Crane ruled Fantino must face allegations brought forward by McHale.
A justice of the peace who heard McHale's complaint refused to issue a summons or warrant for Fantino but Crane ordered the justice to issue the order.
