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Feb.27,2005 -Mar.6,2005 |
Fantino leads crisis management
Provincial appointment temporarily ends speculation Fantino will run for office
By Angelo Persichilli
Originally Published: 2005-02-13
Julian Fantino will be Ontario's new Commisioner of Emergency Management. This announcement came from Premier Dalton McGuinty during a press conference held at the Toronto police headquarters. "He's devoted his career," said McGuinty," to protecting the residents of London, York Region and Toronto. He's done so as a police officer and as chief of police, and in all these years he's shown the great skill and experience needed to succeed in this new role."
Fantino will wrap up his term as Chief of Toronto Police Service on February 28, and the following day he'll report for duty at Queen's Park. His role will be to co-ordinate emergency response, developing strategies and operation plans. He will deal with crises such as the SARS outbreak, the blackout, and other emergencies caused by floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and the like.
In accepting the post, Fantino thanked the premier for his trust and acknowledged the importance - and difficulty - of his new position, stating his readiness to tackle and overcome any difficulty.
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter, to whom Fantino will report, thanked Dr. James Young - Fantino's predecessor - for the work done and Fantino for the job he plans to do. Kwinter remarked that the people of Ontario can consider themselves lucky to have such an experienced person in charge of such an important position.
A different opinion was expressed by MPP Marlyn Churley, NDP, who criticized the government of Ontario for making the appointment without consulting the opposition. "Is Fantino the right person for the job? That's the point. We don't know, as nobody else was considered," remarked Churley.
The press had often hinted at the possibility of Fantino running against Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, although Fantino has dismissed the idea. "First, I have no plans for running with any party," said Fantino in an interview with Corriere Canadese/Tandem. "Sorbara is a friend of mine, and I would never run against a friend."
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