Hamilton Police Association hires lobbyist to influence Ford government
CBC
The union representing Hamilton police officers has brought on a lobbyist to influence the provincial government.
It appears to be the first time the union has ever done so, according to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner's lobbyists registry.
The registry states the Hamilton Police Association's (HPA) goal is "to raise awareness with the province regarding oversight and adherence to the Police Services Act by the Hamilton Police Service and Hamilton Police Services Board."
It was also categorized as lobbying regarding policy and or programming.
The subject matter of the lobbying includes pandemic response, justice and law enforcement, labour, municipal affairs, pensions, rural affairs, taxation and finance.
The lobbying targets include numerous ministries and minister's offices. It is also targeting two members of provincial parliament (MPP) in Flamborough—Glanbrook's Donna Skelly and Hamilton East—Stoney Creek's Neil Lumsden, the two local MPPs with the governing party.
The consultant lobbying on behalf of the police association is Leith Coghlin, the managing director of EnPointe Development Inc.
HPA president Jaimi Bannon told CBC Hamilton the lobbying "does not involve the 2023-24 [police] budget" but wouldn't say anything else.
Coghlin also declined to clarify the purpose of the lobbying, pointing back to the description in the registry.
Jackie Penman, spokesperson for the police service, said it was a question for the police association.
Kirsten Stevenson, spokesperson for the police board, said on behalf of chair Pat Mandy the board had no comment because the union hasn't sent correspondence to the board on the matter.
"It's definitely unique and abnormal," said Scott Blandford, the program coordinator of the policing and public safety programs at Wilfrid Laurier University who also spent 30 years policing in London, Ont.
He told CBC Hamilton it's unclear exactly what the issue behind the lobbying could be, but said it may be a sign the union has a "fundamental disagreement" with a policy direction or strategic direction the police services board had asked the police service to pursue.
Blandford said it could also have to do with the city's police budget — but the police board supported the police service's $196-million "maintenance" budget, which is a $12 million increase from last year.
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