A member of the police board in Port Hope, Ontario has been suspended for six months without pay due to violating conflict-of-interest regulations in connection with arranging a firearms deal for his employer, Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
The inspector general of policing in Ontario found that Jason Wooland, OPG’s head of security, breached the provincial code of conduct by advocating for a business proposal benefiting OPG while serving on the police board in the community near Toronto. The investigation, lasting 10 months, focused on Wooland’s efforts to use the Port Hope Police Service to obtain firearms for armed security guards at nuclear sites, classified as high-security locations under federal law.
Wooland, appointed to the board in 2024, aimed to expedite the acquisition through the municipal police service to overcome federal procurement challenges faced by OPG. The inspector’s report emphasized that Wooland failed to distinguish between his responsibilities to the board and his interests at OPG.
Pressure tactics and inappropriate requests were highlighted in the report, citing incidents where Wooland pressured police leadership to accept the firearms deal and requested privileged police information for OPG purposes. Despite Wooland’s arguments of acting in good faith to assist with budget shortfalls, the inspector general emphasized that conflict of interest rules are non-negotiable.
The inspector general imposed a formal suspension on Wooland from the board, emphasizing his persistent involvement and failure to recognize the conflict. The Port Hope Police Service board chair confirmed the withdrawal of the firearms acquisition proposal and mentioned that Wooland would explore alternative routes through OPG.
Wooland’s suspension is effective immediately, following the decision by the inspector general.
