‘This was a surprise:’ Doug Ford’s cabinet caught off guard as Peel police board chair removed

Questions continue to swirl about why Premier Doug Ford removed long-time Conservative loyalist Ron Chatha from Peel Region’s police services board.

“Well, we’re going to move forward with a new chair and, unfortunately, I can’t disclose that right now,” Ford told reporters Thursday after the Star revealed Chatha’s appointment had been abruptly revoked this week.

“But we will. You’ll hear about it in the near future, but thank you for the question,” the premier said, cutting off further queries about a sensitive matter.

While Ford was being circumspect, Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah took to social media to hail Chatha.

“On behalf of all of us @PeelPolice, we take this opportunity to thank you @RonChatha,” Duraiappah said in a post.

“Your dedication, collaboration and vision to not only our police board but to the Region of Peel is remarkable. We wish you all the very best,” the chief added.

Chatha, a politically connected Brampton realtor, was reappointed to a second three-year term on the Peel police board in 2022.

On Jan. 27, the provincial appointee was re-elected by his fellow board members to chair the civilian panel, which oversees the regional police force that serves Mississauga and Brampton.

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner has refused to discuss the issue and some of Ford’s other cabinet ministers have privately acknowledged they were left out of the loop.

“They didn’t tell us anything, this was a surprise,” said one minister, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations.

Allies of Chatha, who counts some Progressive Conservative cabinet members and MPPs as close personal friends, say he feels “blindsided” by the move.

But in a statement Wednesday, he would only say he was “immensely proud of the progress we have made in advancing our vision for a safer community together.”

Chatha labelled the change a “transition away from my role on the board” that would allow him to “shift my focus to better support my family and grow my business.”

“I am confident that the board will continue to thrive and I extend my best wishes for their continued success,” he said, declining further comment.

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