Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure this afternoon to introduce to this House, Chief Superintendent Richard Deering, as the new Chief of Police for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. He is joined in the Speaker�s Gallery this afternoon by his wife Laurie along with retired Chief Len Power, Acting Chief Gary Brown and Constable Robert St. Croix, president of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association.

Chief Superintendent Deering who is currently the Regional Commander, Eastern Division for the Ontario Provincial Police, has an exemplary record, bringing over 30 years of policing experience to his new position. His detailed career has provided him with a broad range of skill and ability. He has guided the Eastern Division of the Ontario Provincial Police in the transition from a reactive enforcement service to a community oriented police service.

He currently provides senior executive leadership and direction to approximately 1,000 uniform members and 200 full-time civilian employees, in one of the largest and most diverse regions in the province of Ontario. He is responsible for the safety of the motoring public on 160,000 kilometers of roadway and manages a fleet of 325 vehicles, as well as 15 marine units and 30 snow and all-terrain vehicles.

Chief Superintendent Deering also has an interesting connection with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, in that he both designed and delivered the training program for the force�s Tactical Response Unit.

He will assume the role of Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on February 12, 2001.

The policing world is continually evolving, and the new Chief will face the challenges of leading the force into the 21st Century.

Having said this, I am pleased to announce that legislation has been drafted to amend the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act that will give the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association binding arbitration in the form of final offer selection.

The new legislation will be in place for the upcoming round of collective bargaining negotiations, and the amendment will become effective on July 1, 2001.

Before I conclude, I would also like to announce that government will be providing the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary with up to $600,000 for new vehicles and related equipment. This money will be spent during the current fiscal year and is in addition to money already budgeted for the operation of the force. The senior officers of the force have stressed the issue of upgrading vehicles and equipment with my department and we are extremely pleased to be able to provide a positive response.

I offer my appreciation on behalf of government to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for their hard work, dedication and co-operation. We have a chance to build on this work and to make real progress.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

2000 12 06 2:05 p.m.