Sudbury taxpayers group wants Gerry Lougheed to give up post

There are more calls for GerryLougheedto step away from theSudburyPolice Services Board while the OPP investigate corruption allegations associated with theSudburyprovincialbyelection.

GerryLougheedis the head of theSudburyPolice services board.He is also a Liberal organizer and fundraiser and one of two party officials the OPP are investigating amid corruption allegations.

Former Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier alleges he was offered a job or appointment to make way for GlennThibeault'sappointment as Liberal candidate in thebyelection.

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The GreaterSudbury Police Services Board voted Wednesday not to remove Lougheed as the head of the board.The matter was on the board's agenda as four unidentified members of the public asked that Lougheed be removed from his position as chair.

The Greater Sudbury Taxpayers Association says it is disappointed by that move and is calling on Lougheed to step down during the investigation.

Association president Mike Rocha stated in a news release that, while an investigation of this nature is ongoing, there is precedent for Lougheedto temporarily step aside. He noted former Liberal cabinet minister Greg Sorbara resigned as Ontario finance minister in 2005 when he was named in an RCMP investigation. He was exonerated and returned to the post, Rocha added.

"I think it would be sensible for Mr. Lougheed to voluntarily step aside until this investigation is complete."

Meanwhile, both the NDP and the PCs have called on the Community Safety Minister to remove Lougheed pending the outcome of the investigation.

In an email, aspokesperson for the province says the Police Services Act does not give the Community Safety Minister the authority to remove a board member.

However it'snoted that if a board member has breached the Code of Conduct, an investigation by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) may be conducted.

The PCshave sent a request for an investigation to the commission as well.

As for Lougheed, he will only say that he's been advised by Elections Ontario, the OPP and his lawyers not to speak on the issue.

In a statement in December, Lougheed said "at no time" did he promise a job or appointment if Andrew Olivier stepped aside.