The provincial government is removing their appointee John Cyr from Thunder Bay’s Police Services Board.
Cyr was sworn in on Tuesday and was called a valuable ally by the board’s Chair.
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation called for Cyr’s resignation following news the new member wrote a letter to the editor supporting Senator Lynn Beyak in 2017.
A provincial spokesperson tells us the government values its relationship with Ontario’s Indigenous people and is committed to making it a meaningful partnership.
They go on to say John Cyr’s views do not align with those of the provincial government.
“That’s why as soon as we became aware of Mr. Cyr’s past views, the government acted to remove Mr. Cyr from the Thunder Bay Police Services Board,” says a statement to our newsroom.
The government spokesperson adds they expect the Thunder Bay Police, the Police Services Board and local stakeholders to work together to address systemic racism and the recommendations made by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission in December of 2018.
