Thunder Bay police discuss charges against former chief
Thunder Bay Police Service held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the misconduct investigation that led to criminal charges being laid against the city's former police chief.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca streamed the news conference live at 1 p.m.
The current police chief Darcy Fleury spoke along with Karen Machado, the chair of the police service board, about rebuilding the public's trust.
"The allegations of the past is not a reflection of the work being done today," Machado said.
"Our board will not hesitate to act on any allegations of misconduct."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The pair also spoke about invoking change moving foward and supporting the mental health of police service members.
Outburst during news conference
Chantelle Bryson, the lawyer who represents the group of officers and civilian employees who came forward with human rights complaints about the force, attended the news conference.
She took issue with a response made by the police board chair.
"The former board did bring complaints forward to the OCPC (Ontario Civilian Police Commission)," Machado said.
"No they didn't, that's not true," Bryson said interrupting from the audience.
"I'm sorry, I'm leaving. That' not true."
Lawyer Chantelle Bryson (right) speaks out against Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury and Chair of the Police Services Board Karen Machado during a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. April 15, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Jackson)
"You should apologize to these service members," Bryson said standing at the front of the room at the news conference.
"To date, the board and the chief of police are supporting continuing defending the complainants in HRTO. They are indemnifying them, they have continued, since their presence, to file pleadings in the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario correspondence, correspondence to my office, calling these people liars, calling me a liar."
Lawyer Chantelle Bryson (right) speaks out against Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury and Chair of the Police Services Board Karen Machado during a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. April 15, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Jackson)
In response, the board issued this statement:
"Ms. Bryson’s comments are factually inaccurate. The board forwarded concerns raised by former board member Georjann Morriseau to OCPC in the spring of 2021, asking them to investigate. Substantive information was shared with OCPC to assist them, leading to their subsequent investigation."
Probe into misconduct
In late 2021, the Ministry of the Attorney General asked Ontario Provincial Police to investigate allegations of misconduct involving members of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
As a result of that investigation, three people from Thunder Bay Police Service have been charged since December.
Sgt. Mike Dimini was arrested Dec. 6 and charged with two counts of assault and one count each of breach of trust by a police officer and obstructing justice.
Last week, two more people, a former lawyer and a former police chief, were both charged with obstruction, obstructing justice and breach of trust.
Holly Walbourne, 37, resigned as Thunder Bay Police Service counsel last year around the time Fleury took the position.
Sylvie Hauth became police chief in 2018 following a scathing report that found 'systemic racism' within the Thunder Bay police force that affected the death investigations involving Indigenous Peoples.
In June 2022, Hauth was suspended after "serious allegations" were made by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
She resigned in January 2023 after 30 years of service avoiding a police misconduct hearing.
None of the criminal charges have been proven in court.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal caucus chairs meeting to talk Trudeau today, PM attends Canada-U.S. cabinet committee
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in Ottawa today, but with him yet to signal he's ready to address the snowballing resignation calls, the Liberal caucus' regional chairs have called a meeting today to discuss next steps.
When do I receive federal benefits this year? Payment dates for 2025
From the Canada Child Benefit to Old Age Security, federal payment dates have been determined for 2025. Find out when you can expect your payments.
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
'Mystery volcano' that erupted and cooled Earth in 1831 has finally been identified
An unknown volcano erupted so explosively in 1831 that it cooled Earth's climate. Now, nearly 200 years later, scientists have identified the 'mystery volcano.'
Atlanta hotel evacuated after carbon monoxide leak; 5 people hospitalized
A downtown Atlanta hotel was evacuated Friday after a suspected carbon monoxide leak that sent five people to hospitals to be evaluated, authorities said.
New Orleans inches toward normalcy while mourning victims of deadly New Year's rampage
Street performers and football fans returned to New Orleans streets as the city inched back toward normalcy while mourning victims of the deadly New Year's rampage in which an Army veteran plowed a pickup truck into revellers.
U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to save his job as a new Congress convenes
First-round balloting is underway at the U.S. Capitol, as the new Congress opened Friday with one major task at hand -- the election of the House speaker.
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued for nearly all of Canada's provinces and territories
Nearly every province and territory in Canada is subject to weather advisories heading into the weekend.
Barrie
-
King Twp. man wanted for an alleged attempted murder
Police are searching for a man they believe is armed and dangerous.
-
Fail-to-remain driver busted hours after collision
A Cambridge man was busted in Caledon for a Brampton collision.
-
Barrie's Canada Post workers delivered during snowstorm
Barrie postal workers delivered mail during red alert warning from head office.
Toronto
-
Liberal caucus chairs meeting to talk Trudeau today, PM attends Canada-U.S. cabinet committee
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in Ottawa today, but with him yet to signal he's ready to address the snowballing resignation calls, the Liberal caucus' regional chairs have called a meeting today to discuss next steps.
-
Suspect in New Year's Eve double slaying in Halifax was wanted in Toronto shooting
Halifax police say the 39-year-old man who allegedly killed a woman and her father on New Year's Eve was a fugitive wanted in a 2019 Toronto nightclub shooting.
-
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
Ottawa
-
Highrise fire on Ramsey Crescent injures 16 residents
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says four adult women were taken to hospital following a fire that happened in a highrise on Ramsey Crescent, in the west end of Ottawa, in the early hours of Friday morning.
-
OTTAWA'S LRT
OTTAWA'S LRT All aboard Ottawa's new LRT line: What you need to know about the new north-south Line 2 and Line 4
Ottawa’s new north-south rail line will open to the public on Monday, Jan. 6, connecting downtown Ottawa and Riverside South with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Canadian restaurant chain Philthy Philly's coming to Ottawa's ByWard Market
Philthy Philly's, a Canadian cheesesteak sandwich and poutine restaurant, is coming to Ottawa's ByWard Market this year.
Kitchener
-
More than 30 bottles of scotch and tequila stolen from Guelph business
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after three people made off with $2,700 worth of alcohol from a business on Thursday.
-
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
-
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
London
-
Environment Canada upgrades snow squall watch to warning
Several areas in Midwestern Ontario have had a snow squall watch upgraded to a snow squall warning.
-
Vehicle collides with Ingersoll business
A vehicle crashed into a business in Ingersoll earlier in the week, according to Oxford County OPP.
-
Drugs and weapons charges laid after fireworks set off
Drugs and weapons charges have been laid after fireworks were heard going off in Exeter.
Windsor
-
2.99% tax increase in proposed 2025 Windsor budget
The proposed 2025 City of Windsor budget includes a 2.99 per cent tax increase.
-
'It was a privilege to work alongside him': Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex joins worldwide memorial for Jimmy Carter
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is joining a worldwide memorial for late U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
-
Windsor’s HART hub application still under review
Windsor’s application for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment hub remains under review as the province announced Thursday that nine supervised drug consumption sites elsewhere in Ontario will be repurposed.
Montreal
-
Colder days ahead for Montreal as temperatures drop
It was a warmer-than-usual New Year's Day in Montreal, with temperatures hovering just above freezing, but Environment and Climate Change Canada is predicting that colder temperatures are here to stay as we kick off 2025.
-
Montrealers waiting hours to be seen in hospital ERs
Montrealers headed to the hospital could be waiting hours before seeing a doctor in the emergency room.
-
Authorities urge snowmobilers to exercise caution, especially when alone
In the wake of several recent fatal collisions, the Quebec provincial police (SQ) is urging snowmobilers to exercise caution at the start of 2025.
Winnipeg
-
Proposed Winnipeg Costco could be growing in size
The footprint for the new Costco planned in Winnipeg could be growing.
-
Man jumps from moving vehicle to escape robbery of high-end shoes: Winnipeg police
Two men from Saskatchewan have been charged after another man had to leap from a moving vehicle during an attempted robbery.
-
Colleen Bready's Forecast: Cold snap arrives in Manitoba
Simply put, the first cold snap of 2025 is here.
Atlantic
-
Suspect in New Year's Eve double slaying in Halifax was wanted in Toronto shooting
Halifax police say the 39-year-old man who allegedly killed a woman and her father on New Year's Eve was a fugitive wanted in a 2019 Toronto nightclub shooting.
-
Saint John man charged with second-degree murder in wife’s Christmas Eve death
A man accused of murdering his wife on Christmas Eve made his first court appearance in Saint John, N.B., Friday morning.
-
Death of man inside Porters Lake home not suspicious: Halifax RCMP
Police have released more details about the death of a man who barricaded himself inside a home in Porters Lake, N.S., Thursday.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
Calgary
-
Calgary police investigate fatal crash on Crowchild Trail
One person was killed in a crash on northbound Crowchild Trail early Friday morning.
-
Serious crash diverts traffic on Highway 1 near Cochrane
Cochrane RCMP are investigating a serious crash on the Trans-Canada Highway.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Extreme cold warnings, snowfall warnings issued in southern, central Alberta
Polar air continues to flow across much of the country, prompting extreme cold warnings – including in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as central Alberta, Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba.
Edmonton
-
Nenshi announces run for Edmonton-Strathcona seat to 'go head-to-head' with Smith
New Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he is aiming to join the legislature to "go head-to-head" with Premier Danielle Smith.
-
McDavid, Draisaitl look to stay hot in clash vs. Ducks
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will try to extend their respective point streaks to 13 games on Friday night when the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks.
-
Fire breaks out at Blackmud Creek house
Edmonton firefighters were called the Blackmud Creek neighbourhood in south Edmonton early Friday morning.
Regina
-
CTV Regina's top trending stories of 2024
Whether it was hard news or light-hearted features, the year of 2024 hosted some very compelling stories – with several being widely shared online and reaching new audiences.
-
Extreme cold warning blankets central, southern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's two largest cities are under an extreme cold warning Friday morning as wind chill values near -40 C along with temperatures in the -30 C range are expected to hang around through the weekend.
-
Regina police investigating robbery attempt
Regina police are asking the public for information following an attempted robbery that took place in the city’s south end on Thursday afternoon.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police investigating stabbing incidents that left 3 men seriously injured
Saskatoon police are investigating multiple stabbing incidents that left three men seriously injured.
-
Extreme cold warning blankets central, southern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's two largest cities are under an extreme cold warning Friday morning as wind chill values near -40 C along with temperatures in the -30 C range are expected to hang around through the weekend.
-
Man jumps from moving vehicle to escape robbery of high-end shoes: Winnipeg police
Two men from Saskatchewan have been charged after another man had to leap from a moving vehicle during an attempted robbery.
Vancouver
-
Woman, 63, dead after collision on Vancouver Island
A 63-year-old woman is dead after the car she was driving collided with a truck on southern Vancouver Island.
-
Uptick in Vancouver home sales last month caps 'pivot year' for market: board
Greater Vancouver home sales rose 31.2 per cent on a year-over-year basis in December, capping a "pivot year" for the market where the number of homes that changed hands in the region ticked higher.
-
Witnesses sought as RCMP investigate 'suspicious' Vancouver Island school fire
Mounties are investigating a suspicious fire that damaged a school building on southern Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island
-
Woman, 63, dead after collision on Vancouver Island
A 63-year-old woman is dead after the car she was driving collided with a truck on southern Vancouver Island.
-
Witnesses sought as RCMP investigate 'suspicious' Vancouver Island school fire
Mounties are investigating a suspicious fire that damaged a school building on southern Vancouver Island.
-
Case of B.C. teen with avian flu shows 'worrisome' mutation of virus
Infectious disease experts say the avian flu case that infected a 13-year-old in British Columbia shows “worrisome” signs that the virus could be mutating to more easily infect humans, but that the treatment approach taken can help inform future cases.
