Sarnia's police chief has permanently dropped his $1.5 million lawsuit, filed against Nathan Colquhoun and the Sarnia Media Group, owner of the Sarnia Journal.
An email to Sarnia News Today from the Ministry of the Attorney General said the plaintiff, Chief Derek Davis, discontinued the action against the defendants before the matter went before a judge.
In mid-April, Chief Davis announced he was suing the company, citing allegations of libel.
Chief Davis would have had to pay his own costs because his contract does not cover legal fees for lawsuits initiated by him, and the Sarnia Police Service was not named in the action.
Board Chair Kelly Ash previously said Davis' contract terms also strictly limit legal indemnification to instances in which he is named as a defendant for actions taken in his official capacity.
The Sarnia Journal said the lawsuit targeted its reporting on police leadership, public spending, hiring practices, and potential conflicts of interest involving Davis’s private consulting company, Norigen Management Consulting Inc.
In response, Colquhoun said they brought a motion under Ontario’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) law.
Colquhoun said the lawsuit was discontinued shortly before the scheduled June 4 hearing on that motion, after The Sarnia Journal had prepared and served substantial responding materials.
"This was a serious attempt by a sitting — now suspended — police chief to use the courts to silence independent scrutiny of public institutions and potential conflicts of interest,” said Colquhoun. "We mounted a full defence and the claim has now been permanently dropped. This is a meaningful victory for local journalism and the public’s right to hold power to account in Sarnia."
The Sarnia Journal describes its editorial team as a non-hierarchical group of editors, journalists, writers, and participants dedicated to serving Sarnia–Lambton through reporting, storytelling, and care for the community.
Meanwhile, the police services board has signed an official engagement letter with Toronto-based Marshall Workplace Law to undertake an independent workplace investigation regarding Chief Davis.
The specialized firm conducts independent, external workplace investigations, audits, and mediations across Canada.
Chief Davis is currently suspended with pay, pending the results of the workplace harassment complaint.
Former Toronto Deputy Chief Mike Federico has been brought in to serve as acting chief of police.
Deputy Police Chief Ron Hansen and a civilian member of the Sarnia Police Service are also under suspension due to an ongoing workplace investigation.
The Sarnia Police Service Board is asking for the public’s patience while Marshall Workplace Law conducts its review.
