The Ontario government has decided to set up an inquiry into the shooting death of aboriginal protester Dudley George.

George was killed in September 1995 during a protest at Ipperwash Provincial Park.

Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty

The Conservative government of then-premier Mike Harris had been elected earlier that year, and was dogged by a scandal surrounding the incident.

Last month, George's family dropped a lawsuit against Harris, and reached a $100,000 settlement with police.

During the provincial election campaign this year, Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty promised an inquiry into the shooting.

"This was a longstanding and important commitment made by Premier Dalton McGuinty before, during and after the election," Attorney General Michael Bryant told a news conference on Wednesday.

"I think that people deserve to get the truth about what happened at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995, and they will get the truth," said Bryant.

Sgt. Kenneth Deane of the Ontario Provincial Police was convicted in 1997 of causing the George's death. He later quit the force.