by arthur Weinreb,
august 3, 2004
as everyone surely knows by now, the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) recently voted not to renew the contract of Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino. The Chief’s contract expires next March. With member Norm Gardner not sitting, the Board’s vote to renew Fantino’s contract ended in a 3-3 tie and the motion failed. Last week the self-described dysfunctional Police Services Board attempted to start the process of looking for a replacement for the current chief. But, surprise surprise--that effort also went down to defeat in a 3-3 vote.
Eventually the city will have to get around to choosing a new chief of police. Who should that next chief be? Well, it should be someone who reflects the views of Toronto mayor David Miller and the left-wing councillors who form the majority on Toronto City Council. after all they were democratically elected. David Miller may be a dolt but he’s not a Dalt. Unlike the Ontario premier who shamelessly said one thing during the election campaign and then another when he came into power, Miller never pretended that he had any interest in fighting crime. after all there was a bridge to stop. Besides fighting crime would take time away from Miller’s main function; begging for money from other levels of government. Having clearly indicated that he thinks that violent crime can be reduced by constructing more basketball courts and giving criminals and potential lawbreakers a big hug, the new chief of police should reflect Miller’s values.
In light of council’s views on policing, the following should seriously be considered as a replacement for the outgoing Fantino.
Bill Graham
The former Minister of Foreign affairs, described by the Toronto Sun’s Peter Worthington as "dainty" (Worthington’s good but he’s no arnold Schwarzenegger), Graham would make the best choice for the city’s top cop. and now that he’s had a couple of weeks in the Defense portfolio, Graham is more than qualified. after all when it comes to all out war against gangs and criminals, a police chief that is experienced in playing defense would be an asset to Miller and the city mothers. The next time Toronto has a weekend where young men are dropping like flies from gun shots, Graham can hold a press conference and say that "this is unacceptable". He will be able to reflect the outrageous indignation of the citizens of Toronto without Miller and the gang having to worry that he might actually take action against the criminals. But Bill Graham will probably choose not to leave the feds and his Ottawa home where the chance of being randomly blown away is less. and as police chief, Graham would have to make his own decisions--no more calling Kofi at the UN to be told what to do.
Lloyd axworthy
The former Trudeau and Chrétien cabinet minister would make an excellent chief of police. as Minister of Foreign affairs, axworthy turned the notion of soft power into a science, allowing Canada never to have to worry about war and stuff. a bear of a man, Lloyd would be great for all those group hugs that Miller wants to see. and Lloyd is an experienced hugger. Much like former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, axworthy never met a dictator he didn’t hug. all politics are local and axworthy’s soft power should be brought to the Toronto Police Service.
Jean Chrétien
Chrétien must be getting really bored by now since retiring from the public scene after 40 years in Ottawa. and, he would be entertaining at those press conferences that Fantino seems to hold whether or not he needs too. But, there would be a major downside to Chrétien becoming the city’s top cop. Without an election to win, Jean might reveal his true nature which is far to the right of the positions that he took while seeking numerous victories for the Liberals. He might even go after criminals himself. You can just picture Jean walking into a riot and strangling the rioters one by one. Bad idea--David wouldn’t like Chief Jean at all.
Sheila Copps
How the mighty have fallen. While she was once the deputy prime minister of Canada, the former Hamilton MP has now been reduced to writing columns for that right -wing Canadian rag, the National Post. We would have to put up with Chief Sheila travelling the country to whine about how there are just not enough lesbian police chiefs in the country. But look at the fun we can have with her name -"Top Cop Copps", "Our Copps is tops", etc.
With the way things are going, Toronto could end up with no police chief. No police chief and no bridge to the island. It this guy Miller great or what?