A member of the police board in Port Hope, Ontario, has been suspended for six months without pay for breaching conflict-of-interest regulations to facilitate a firearms transaction for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), his employer.
The inspector general of policing in Ontario determined that Jason Wooland, OPG’s head of security, violated the provincial code of conduct by pushing for a business deal that would benefit OPG while serving on the police board in the town. The investigation, lasting 10 months, focused on Wooland’s efforts to use the Port Hope Police Service to obtain firearms for armed security personnel at OPG’s nuclear facilities.
Wooland, who joined the board in 2024, attempted to expedite the acquisition process using the municipal police service as a procurement channel due to challenges faced by OPG in federal procurement. The inspector general emphasized that board members are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and criticized Wooland for failing to separate his duties to the board from his interests at OPG.
Pressure tactics and inappropriate requests were highlighted in the report, including Wooland’s persistence in advocating for the firearms deal despite conflicts of interest and offering financial incentives to the police service. Wooland also sought sensitive police information for OPG’s use, which was deemed inappropriate and denied by police leadership.
In his defense, Wooland claimed he acted in good faith to assist the police service with budget constraints, citing OPG’s collaborative culture. However, the inspector general dismissed these arguments, stating that conflict-of-interest regulations are mandatory and that Wooland’s actions revealed a misunderstanding of his responsibilities.
The suspension was deemed necessary as Wooland failed to acknowledge the gravity of his actions despite warnings to step aside. The report indicated that the police board would not pursue the firearms acquisition proposal, and Wooland agreed to explore alternative options through OPG. The Port Hope Police Service Board chair acknowledged that Wooland should not have presented the offer himself but believed his intentions were well-meaning.
Wooland’s six-month suspension is effective immediately. CBC News has reached out to OPG, Wooland, and the Port Hope Police Service Board for their responses to the report’s findings.